Pharmacists say changes to the National Drug Formulary have turned into a bitter pill for them to swallow, with many now reporting a major fall-off in business.
Andrew Bourne, vice-president of the Pharmaceutical Society, which represents nearly 90 private pharmacies, is also warning that this could be the prescription for layoffs and closure of some operations.
“Some have lost 30 to 50 per cent in business. They may have to find other sources of income, or cut costs, like reducing staff,” he told the SUNDAY SUN.
Under the new system introduced on April 1, Barbadians who opt to have their prescriptions filled at private pharmacies must pay a dispensing fee. However, people can choose to access – free of cost – the same services at the 14 state pharmacies.
Bourne, who is the pharmaceutical manager of Knights Pharmacies, said the drop so far had been more than they had bargained for.
Bourne said when private pharmacists partnered with the Barbados Drug Service (BDS) from back in the 1980s, there were always clear lines, but now those seemed to have been crossed.
