GENERAL MANAGER of pharmaceuticals at LASCO (Barbados) Limited, Paul Gibson, said that with the introduction of a co-payment for drug services at private pharmacies across the island due to take effect in April, everyone should benefit.
Gibson said that with the introduction of the new system, there will be “significant savings” for the country as a whole.This method of co-payment will certainly reduce the amount of wastage that currently occurs in our procurement system in Barbados,” Gibson added.
He said the move by Government should also reduce hoarding and wastage in the system.
Gibson said that traditionally, private pharmacies waited months to receive payments from Drug Service but that should change with the introduction of co-payment.
“What is going to happen now is that the cash flow of private pharmacies across Barbados will be significantly enhanced and that is a positive for Government, pharmacists and, believe it or not, the people of Barbados,” Gibson said.
Also sharing a similar outlook was Jeffrey Bourne, managing director of Collins Limited. He said “Government would save money because the public was being asked to pay it”. However, Bourne did not anticipate any savings for anyone else.
Andy Armstrong, managing director of Armstrong Agencies, said Government had announced an increase in “resources” to the polyclinics but only allocated $1 million. This, he said, suggested Government expected more people to go to private pharmacies.
He said: “If everybody decides to go to the polyclinics then there is not going to be any savings for Government.”
During the October 2010 Budget, Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler announced that effective April 1, Barbadians filling prescriptions at private pharmacies would have to provide part payment for medication. However, they will still be able to get it free at polyclinics. (MM)
