By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE government is targeting February 1, 2026, for the full integration of the National Prescription Drug Plan (NPDP) into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), following a recent virtual stakeholder consultation.

The session, which included officials from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, NHIA, and NPDP, gathered pharmaceutical and wholesale sector representatives. It marked the first discussion of the revised Chronic Prescription Drug Fund Bill, 2025, and the NPDP’s operational transition to the NHIA.

During the meeting, officials confirmed that February 1, 2026, would be the date the NHIA takes full control of the prescription drug plan. The government is expected to introduce the new legislation in Parliament by the end of May.

NHIA Managing Director Christy Young-Butler emphasised that the merger would streamline healthcare services and improve benefits coordination. While NHIA currently covers over 160,000 beneficiaries, NPDP serves about 41,000.

Concerns emerged over the draft legislation, particularly the phrase “other healthcare facilities” regarding eligibility for contracting under the expanded drug plan. Some stakeholders worried this could include unlicensed or non-pharmaceutical providers. NHIA Legal Manager Omara Bingham clarified that the language aimed to align with broader NHI legislation, and licensing requirements for pharmacies would remain unchanged. She promised to revisit the clause for clarity.

Workforce readiness was another issue discussed. With fewer than 275 registered pharmacists in the country, stakeholders warned that expanding the drug plan without more personnel could strain the system. Officials acknowledged the concern, noting that the Ministry of Health would handle capacity planning before the integration.

Resistance also grew over regional procurement standards managed by agencies like CARPHA and PAHO. Critics argued that these standards were too rigid, raising costs and limiting access to generic medicines. One stakeholder pointed out that several Caribbean countries had rejected CARPHA’s standards, warning that relying on them would increase procurement costs and reduce formulary options.

Stakeholders also urged NHIA to ensure a more streamlined and transparent procurement process. Dr Smith recommended standardising pharmacy contracts to reduce delays, a proposal that Ms. Bingham said was legally feasible and would be considered in the transition.

The extension of the current MPC-4 formulary until January 31, 2026, was confirmed, with the revised MPC-5 formulary scheduled to follow as part of the national procurement transition.

Pharmacists also called for access to NHIA’s anonymised patient data and a demonstration of its electronic health records system. This, they argued, would help private providers prepare for the influx of patients and better understand medication demand. Ms Young-Butler confirmed that NHIA had developed population health reporting tools and offered to arrange demonstrations.

Officials plan to hold additional consultations with stakeholders in the coming weeks to finalise the legislative and operational framework by the end of the third quarter.