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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.

Both organizations said their single focus is to support the implementation of the plan which will ensure increased access to prescription medication for the treatment of eleven chronic diseases in Phase I of NPDP. In view of this resolve and the desire of both parties to contribute to instituting the Plan in its best possible form, NIB and the BPA have agreed that neither party will make any additional public statements regarding their discussions towards this goal.

Algernon Cargill, Director of NIB said “We do understand that there may be differences between NIB’s proposal and what the BPA and its members may want to see. NIB is working within a set of approved parameters that we believe provides for a fair and reasonable return, given all of the circumstances, to maximize the participation of local pharmacies. We have consulted widely with the BPA and other key stakeholders to ensure that the approved Plan will provide significant relief to Bahamians suffering from one or more of the 11 chronic diseases identified by NIB in the first phase of the Plan. The feedback we have received from registered beneficiaries and the general public is that NPDP is revolutionary and will increase their access to prescription medication and enable them to better manage their chronic conditions. We believe that at the end of the day, the NPDP that is being introduced will be successful and will be a wonderful business opportunity for the participating pharmacies that choose to join the Plan.”

Dr. Marvin Smith, President of the BPA said the intent of the BPA has always been to partner with the government to ensure a viable, sustainable plan for the Bahamian people.

“Pharmacists are a key part of the healthcare system and the BPA assures the public that our members view the access to healthcare as a fundamental right of every Bahamian. It is the intention of the BPA to continue to work with NIB to produce a programme that will benefit everyone it serves. We will do all we can to ensure that the Drug Plan and the private pharmacy sector can both be sustained, and that this Plan can provide benefit to our people for generations to come. We do this in the spirit of cooperation,” Dr. Smith said.