PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar has responded to reports of medication shortages and linked the problem to bureaucracy and outdated systems.
She spoke on the issue while addressing a special luncheon at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, in recognition of the newly appointed permanent secretaries and Chief Administrator of the THA.
“I’m seeing that people are talking about shortages of medications and so on. And I am told that there are persons waiting to apply to register medications, cheaper medications, for one year.
“And why is that happening? Because there is some committee that is not functioning, rules and regulations are outdated, the…medical formulary (official list of prescription drugs and medicinal products approved for use)…it is outdated.
“Technology has changed that. We now have so many more effective medications at cheaper costs,” she said.
She continued: “But because we are operating on this old book and we want to have a whole committee that must go and check out every medication that somebody wants to bring in and wants to share. You have to set up a whole committee and a scientific research and review.
“Look, if the WHO (World Health Organization) approves that medication, what’s wrong with it? If the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approves it, what? We better? We brighter.
“So if there is these world-renowned people who know far more than we do, who could afford to do more research than we can sit in Trinidad and do, let’s do it, and let’s get these medications. People are suffering.”
She stressed the country can get medications cheaper.
She asked Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe how old the formulary was, and was told it dates back to 1975.
“So we are living in 2026 with 1975 formulary. Anyway, we will work on that later today because I spent all night reading what to do and how to do and how to fix it,” she said.
In recent weeks, patients and relatives have again raised concerns about shortages of medication at public health institutions and pharmacies where Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) drugs are distributed.
These included drugs used in the treatment of cancer and chronic illnesses.
Last month, at a news conference, Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles called on the Health Minister to urgently address drug shortages in the public health system, including through CDAP.
Beckles said the situation cannot be allowed to continue, and questioned whether those managing the public drug supplies were not aware they were going to run short.
Bodoe, in an Express interview, said steps are being taken to address shortages of some medications available under CDAP, as well as certain cancer drugs. He also emphasised the majority of items available under CDAP remained accessible to the public.
Trinidad Express
