The Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) has welcomed a list of new drugs that has been added to the National Health Fund (NHF) programme.
A new active ingredient, Dutasteride for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, was added to the NHF Drug List under the label Avodart 0.5milligram capsules.
This brings the total number of active ingredients offered by the NHF to 188.
Rosemarie Wright-Pascoe, president of MAJ, said the inclusion of the drugs by NHF will provide both patients and physicians with choice.
New generic drugs
Four new generic drugs have also been added to the NHF Drug List for the treatment of major depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and ischaemic heart disease.
They are, respectively, Dalsan 20 milligram tablets; Aten 100 milligram tablets; Glimulin; and Clopidogrel-LAS 75 milligram tablets.
"The MAJ is always pleased when other drugs that are used to treat the chronic non-communicable diseases seen in Jamaica are added to the NHF list of drugs," said Wright-Pascoe.
"We recognise that the chronic non-communicable diseases account for a large proportion of morbidity and mortality in Jamaica," she added.
A new generic controlled release formulation for the drug sodium valproate, used in the treatment of epilepsy, was also added to the NHF Drug List under the label of Valparin Chrono.
Wright-Pascoe has encouraged the use of generic drugs as it reduces the nation's pharmaceutical cost.
"But we are mindful of the concerns about the efficacy of some generic drugs in Jamaica," she said. "We, therefore, leave the choice as to whether generic drugs will be prescribed or used to the physician and the patient after relevant discussion has been made with the patient."
In addition, a new controlled release formulation for Tamsulosin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia was also added under the label Flomax 0.4milligram CR tablets.
Congratulate the NHF
"We congratulate the NHF in recognising the importance of benign prostatic hyperplasia and its impact on the quality of life of the men who have been afflicted by this disease," said the MAJ president.
In addition, since last Saturday, H.D. Hopwood has added the Medisense Optium Xceed Glucometer and associated diabetic supplies to the NHF/Distributors Diabetic Supplies Programme.
Now beneficiaries of the NHF programme have a total of 13 glucometers to choose from.
Wright-Pascoe pleaded for the availability of the glucometers across the island.
"Sometimes, patients complain that they can't get the ticks (strips) and, in fact, the meters are often not readily available," she said.
Glucometers are needed by diabetic patients to measure their blood glucose (sugar) levels so as to properly manage their condition.
Under the NHF/Distributors Diabetic Supplies Programme, the distributors have agreed to provide glucometers free of charge to diabetic patients and the NHF will subsidise the test strips and other items used in the measuring process.
The new drugs included on the NHF programme and their subsidies are as follows:
Dalsan 20 milligram tablets with a NHF subsidy of $111.63 per tablet.
Aten 100 milligram tablets with a NHF subsidy of $6.88 per tablet.
Glimulin - two tablets with a subsidy of $29.31 per tablet.
Clopidogrel-LAS 75 milligram tablets with a subsidy of $47.49 per tablet.
Ingredient dutasteride for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia was added under the label Avodart 0.5 milligram capsules with a subsidy of $108.09 per capsule.
Generic controlled release formulation for the drug Sodium Valproate, used in the treatment of epilepsy, was added under the label of Valparin Chrono. The drug is available in 300 milligram tablets and 500 milligram tablets with a subsidy of $12.67 and $21.12 per tablet respectively.
Controlled release formulation for Tamsulosin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia added under the label Flomax 0.4 milligram CR tablets with a subsidy of $64.82 per tablet.
The Medisense Optium Xceed Glucometer and blood glucose test strips are packaged in 50s and the NHF subsidy is $1,693.01 per pack.
