NHF innovations to include subsidised drugs for Jamaica's youth

Some $70 million more is to be allocated annually by the National Health Fund (NHF) to subsidise medication for persons aged between zero and 18 years.

Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, made the announcement earlier this week in his contribution to the Sectoral Debate.

In pointing the impact of the initiative on NHF beneficiaries as being significant, Dr Tufton said it will greatly reduce out-of-pocket expenditure by parents, and assist in broadening accesses to vital medication.

The implementation date for the new initiative is September 1, 2016.

The NHF is also set to attempt an expansion of its operations to partnerships with private pharmacies by the end of the fiscal year. This will be done through partnerships with the private pharmacies, to facilitate wider options of filling prescription medications with less wait time.

The intention is for patients to no longer need to go to a hospital or Drug Serv Pharmacy to access NHF drugs.

Dr Tufton said he has charged the board of the NHF to review the efficiencies to be gained through the partnerships with the private pharmacies, and to make recommendations later this year.