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The National Insurance Board and The Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association announced on Thursday that they are working together to successfully launch the National Prescription Drug Plan (NPDP) in August of this year.

The National Insurance Board and The Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association announced on Thursday that they are working together to successfully launch the National Prescription Drug Plan (NPDP) in August of this year.

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Hubert Ingraham this week approved the request from the National Insurance Board (NIB), to close out the interim phase and begin the next, permanent phase of the Unemployment Benefit with effect from June 1, 2010. His authorization is in accordance with the Unemployment Benefit Regulations which allow for the Minister with responsibility for National Insurance to advise on the effective date of the permanent phase of the approved program. This new phase will afford unemployed workers the same level of coverage and benefit provisions as the interim phase, but with different qualifying conditions, and a modest increase in contributions.

By Jimenita Swain ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com: Early registration for the National Prescription Drug Plan is expected to begin next week Monday, said Minister of Health Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday.

Who is Eligible? In the first phase of the National Prescription Drug Plan coverage has been extended to three specific groups. These groups include NIB pensioners, NIB invalids and children under 18 (or under 25 if in full- time education). For persons of these groups to be eligible for membership in the Plan, they should have been diagnosed with one or more of the 11 chronic diseases covered by the Plan.

By Matt Maura Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas - The National Prescription Drug Plan will provide free medications for 11 chronic, non-communicable diseases to 35,000 Bahamians in its initial stage, Tami Francis, Drug Plan Project Manager said Tuesday.