Government will be removing ineffective CDAP drugs - such as for diabetes and hypertension - since anecdotal complaints about such drugs have proven to be fact, says Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.
He said the drugs come from India and some of the drugs which found itself in T&T’s supply chain aren’t authorised to be sold nationwide in India save for only one Indian state, he said.
“So we’re looking at the issue, I want to give the national community that commitment - from this cycle we’re going to change the procurement pattern,” he said.
Deyalsingh was speaking in Parliamentary debate on the report of the Standing Finance Committee yesterday. At issue was a $1.3b variation for the 2017 Budget.
Deyalsingh said taxpayers have been short -changed for years when they can’t get certain drugs. But he said certain changes will now be made in getting drugs.
He said he was sure his predecessors had received the sort of complaints that he had: that CDAP drugs for diabetes and high blood pressure weren’t working.
Since becoming Minister, he said he had been bombarded with anecdotal evidence about this. But he said a decision couldn’t be made without basis to move on.
He said Pan American Health Organisation has been engaged to do an analysis.
“And I’m satisfied the anecdotal evidence can now be supported by fact and we’ll be coming and taking off those drugs that have proven to be ineffective and from this cycle we’re going to change the procurement system as our patients on CDAP need to be assured that drugs they’re taking to treat their chronic conditions are safe and effective.”
He said drugs to prevent post-partum bleeding will be added to the list.
Five type of oncology drugs will also be added to the formulary including for brain cancers, leukaemia and other issues. He said there is a global shortage of many classes of drugs including oncology drugs.
Deyalsingh said chemotherapy drugs which were mixed at the St James Medical Complex were sent to the San Fernando General Hosptial yesterday.
UNC MP Dr Fuad Khan who spoke after, said he agreed with Deyalsingh’s statements.
On the CDAP drug issue, he said, he had also heard anecdotal information that the CDAP drugs weren’t working.
He said he was told the Food and Drug Division tested all drugs, so it was “news” to him that wasn’t occurring. He said he was glad the situation was being spotlighted so “we can see where the sheep and goats lie.”
