The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association (BPA) is "a little less nervous" about the National Prescription Drug Programme's switch to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Authority after receiving assurances the National Insurance Board (NIB) will continue managing the programme and payments will not be interrupted.

Dr Marvin Smith, the BPA's president, said the Association emerged from a nearly three-hour meeting with Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, and Owen Wells, minister of state for health, with greater confidence in the transition after receiving updates on how the scheme will operate under NHI.

"The most important thing we learned is that the team from the National Insurance Board continues to manage the operation of the programme, so there's been no disruption in service," said Dr Smith.

"For now, there have been no operational changes in how the programme affects pharmacy owners or patients, and that's a good sign. We're happy to hear that's the case."

The National Prescription Drug Programme, which was previously administered by the National Insurance Board, is being integrated into the National Health Insurance Authority as part of the Government's wider healthcare reforms. The planned transition had prompted concerns among pharmacists over governance, operational continuity and reimbursement arrangements.

Dr Smith said one of the Association's biggest concerns had been ensuring there was no interruption to payments as responsibility for the programme shifted to the NHI Authority.

"Currently, we have not experienced any disruptions in payments under the National Prescription Drug Programme, even though it is now being brought under the National Health Insurance Authority," he said. "The minister indicated that he intends for that to continue, so we're pleased that everything appears to be moving along."

The BPA had also sought greater consultation on the programme's expansion and future implementation - requests Dr Smith said were met positively by the Ministry of Health.

"We asked for more information and greater engagement, and those requests were met with a positive response," he said. "I think we've received enough information now that will allow us to be a little less nervous about how we move forward."

Dr Smith said the Association remains supportive of National Health Insurance and universal healthcare, provided reforms continue to involve the private sector.

"We're supporters of National Health Insurance. We've always supported universal healthcare," he said. "We just believe it has to happen in an environment where both the public and private sectors can function and thrive."

Dr Smith added that the Government appeared to share that philosophy. "The minister said this programme only works if it is sustainable, and it can only be sustained if there's a partnership between the public and private sectors,” he said.

Dr Smith said the Association intends to remain an active partner as the programme expands, while also advocating for pharmacists to play a broader role in healthcare delivery beyond dispensing medications, including patient monitoring, medication compliance and immunisation services.

Following the meeting, Dr Smith said the Government had provided sufficient information to reassure the sector that the NHI transition is proceeding without disrupting patient care or pharmacy operations.