Pharmacies across Trinidad and Tobago are set to benefit from the government’s latest decision to remove the TT$68,000 entry fee previously required to join the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) network.
At Thursday’s Post-Cabinet Media Conference, Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe announced several reforms aimed at modernising the programme and reducing costs.
A major part of his announcement was one directed to local pharmacies.
“In 2018, the previous government had made a cabinet decision to charge new pharmacies wishing to engage in CDAP a cost of $68,000 to get into the programme. The cabinet has accepted the recommendation to remove that $68,000 cost, and what is going to happen going forward is that pharmacies will now be permitted to self-source the IT equipment, which will be in line with Ministry specifications.”
This, Dr. Bodoe said, will allow better access to patients in rural communities.
“We want to also look at enhanced rural access. Access to medication should not be determined by postcode. In this regard, we are removing the $68,000 technology entry costs previously required of pharmacies to join CDAP.”
The Health Minister said the reform of CDAP follows a comprehensive review of the programme, with outdated medications being replaced with more effective alternatives.
“In the area of mental health, the drug Sulpiride has now been replaced by a drug by the name of Risperidone, which is a more effective antipsychotic agent. In the area of cardiovascular disease, which is a common disease and condition, the drug Simvastatin is now being replaced by a drug by the name of Rosuvastatin. It’s commonly called Crestor. So Crestor will now replace Simvastatin.”
Two new drugs for cardiovascular disease, Plavix and Losartan, are also being added.
The government also expects to save over TT$4 million in the next CDAP cycle by introducing glucose test strips from India. Dr. Bodoe assured that the quality remains the same.
“So we have found that we can replace these strips that currently cost the government $1.15, and now we can acquire ISO-certified WHO pre-qualified strips at less than $0.34 per unit, delivering much better value.”
The Minister also announced a recommendation to launch an initiative called CDAP+ for advanced treatments not covered under the programme.
“This will allow access to specialist prescribed medications, again, delivered through private pharmacies under regulated pricing agreements and at no direct cost to the government.”
Minister Bodoe said a full implementation proposal for this is expected to be brought to the cabinet by the end of the year.