NATIONAL HEALTH Fund beneficiaries enrolled for major depression, rheumatic fever, heart disease and diabetes are now able to each access an
additional drug to treat their condition.
Carbamazepine, already on the NHF drug list for the treatment of epilepsy, is now included for persons with major depression. Digoxin, previously available for patients with ischaemic heart disease, is now available for patients suffering with rheumatic fever heart disease. Insulin Glargine (Lanctus) has also been added for persons enrolled for diabetes.
CARD HOLDERS
Overall, about 22,000 NHF card holders are eligible for accessing these drugs. About 1,194 persons are enrolled for major depression; 1,180 persons for rheumatic fever heart disease and 19,606 patients for diabetes.
Ann Logan, individual benefits manager, said that the drugs were added based on recommendations from the Ministry of Health's Mental Health Department and medical practitioners and based on her own evaluation.
"Beneficiaries and health providers, I am sure, will appreciate the addition of these drugs as they will enable them to better manage the three conditions," she said.
The NHF gives financial assistance with the purchase of over 500 prescription items to all Jamaicans suffering from 14 chronic diseases, regardless of age or economic status. These diseases are arthritis, asthma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, major depression, psychosis, glaucoma, high cholesterol, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, rheumatic heart disease and vascular disease.
CONDITIONS COVERED
There are 182 private and public sector provider pharmacies islandwide. About 130,000 beneficiaries are enrolled on the NHF and Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme (JADEP). JADEP covers eight conditions. These conditions are included in the 14 conditions covered by NHF. Persons 60 years and over who have been diagnosed with one or more of the conditions covered are eligible for JADEP membership.
