By GENEA NOEL

Freeport News Reporter

genea@nasguard.com

The Government's new National Prescription Drug Plan is expected to come into effect by April 2010 says Health Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis, who made the announcement while on Grand Bahama this weekend.

During a meeting with the medical community on Saturday at the Rand Memorial Hospital, Minnis said that the aim of the program is to treat and prevent non- communicable diseases among Bahamians.

"The plan will improve access to prescription drugs and supplies for use by patients and provide funds for health promotion and wellness projects in the various community."

Bahamians suffering from non-communicable diseases who qualify, will soon be able to access their medication from any public health facility and private participating pharmacies, Minnis ex-plained.

The plan, which will be introduced in phases, will be initially funded by the National Insurance Board (NIB) at an estimated cost of $5.4 million.

In future phases, Minnis said that additional NIB

contributions, Government grants, coordination of benefits with private insurers and a small co-payment will fund the Plan.

He further noted that the first phase will only include NIB pensioners, invalids and children up to 18 years or up to 25 years if in full-time education.

After that, employed and self-employed persons, persons identified as poor, persons in Government institutions and voluntary members will be included.

After reviewing numerous complaints about the public health facilities nationwide, Minnis said that it was essential to try to introduce some medication and methodology to eradicate or contain the many problems that they are faced with.

"We recognized that there is a shortage of pharmacists in the public institution and within The Bahamas; therefore, we feel that this public private partnership is probably the best way to go. Individuals with these particular diseases can obtain their medication at one of the public institutions in the country or they can obtain their medication from the private sector at no charge during the first phase."

He added that the system is designed so that physicians would know when medications have been received to prevent persons from abusing the Plan.

For now, Minnis stated that the plan covers about 150 types of medicines and a list of diseases – Arthritis, Asthma; Breast Cancer; Diabetes; Glaucoma; High Cholesterol; Major Depres-sion; Hypertension; Ischaemic Heart Disease; Prostate Cancer and Psychosis.

Both lists, however, will be amended over time as technology improves and as reviews show that more or less diseases are affecting the population.

"Just because your disease is not listed does not mean that it will not be included as time goes on."

Minnis noted that some doctors might be resistant to change because they are accustomed to writing a particular drug, but he encouraged them to adhere to the listing as much as possible.

"If you have a bad compliance then you would have more complaints but remember this is your listing that can be changed as we go on," he said.

"You are essentially our messenger, you must understand what we are trying to say. If the public asked you about the program and you can't understand the information, simply because you are a member of the medical community they will feel that what you say is gospel. It is so essential that you understand and give the right message."

Minnis said that the Plan is expected to meet and exceed the needs of all Bahamians and although challenges are expected, health care can be improved for all.