“The problem that we face as small islands operating in the midst of an extremely interconnected global community, is that, the chances are extremely high for counterfeit drugs to penetrate our communities” - Minister for Health and Social Development, Dancia Penn-Sallah acknowledged this at the opening ceremony of the 22nd OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service (PPS) at Long Bay beach Resort.

Therefore, with a view in mind to redress the situation, Minister Penn-Sallah revealed her Ministry plans to regulate the Territory’s pharmaceutical sector more strongly in order to ensure that the drugs imported are safe, fit for purpose, and of a good quality.

“Towards achieving that goal Government earlier this year created and funded a new post of Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services. At present applicants are being interviewed to fill that position,” the Health Minister said.

Among other duties, the soon-to-be-appointed Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services will advise on the procurement of safe, effective pharmaceuticals and monitor the quality of pharmaceuticals entering the Territory. The person will also be responsible for ensuring that the Territory meets the international obligations under the relevant international conventions.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “counterfeit drugs — illegal and inherently unsafe — are a growing public health problem.”

The US/FDA further announced recently that an FDA task force has been working with other agencies and the private sector to help protect that nation’s drug supply from the threat of counterfeits drugs.

And despite pointing out Government’s effort to address the issue, Minister Penn-Sallah alluded to the fact that partnership is key in combating such a challenge.

“Dealing with counterfeit drugs is a key area for private/public sector corporation. It is not only for government to address this, but civil society,” she stated. “Although we do not have the same financial and other resources that are available to some governments, we share the onerous responsibility of addressing the problem, while protecting our citizens from the impacts of counterfeit drugs.”

Crucial areas

The Virgin Islands (UK) has joined the OECS/PPS family since 1989, and the partnership has been a crucial area in the Territory’s health sector.

According to Minister Penn the partnership shared with regional and sub-regional bodies like the OECS/PPS has helped “in ensuring that our Government continues to be able to provide adequate health care services that are within easy access of all residents of the British Virgin Islands.”

These benefits include technical assistance that help in ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the Pharmacy at the Peebles Hospital as well as the supply and dispensing of drugs at community clinics.

Among other forms of assistance, the OECS/PPS has conducted a number of workshops on drug procurement for the senior staff at the Peebles Hospital and community clinics.

“Over the years, we have also benefited from numerous local workshops for our pharmacists, nurses, and physicians from both the public and the private sector. Other workshops focused on enhancing the skills of our healthcare professionals for offering best treatment to patients with asthma, hypertension, and diabetes among other ailments,” she added.

Meanwhile, an OECS/PPS sponsored “pharmacovigilance” workshop was held recently at the Peebles Hospital Annex Training Room. This had to do with the detection, reporting and analysis of adverse drug reactions to improve the safer use of medicines.

The Ministry has also received OECS/PPS funding towards creating air-conditioned storage for the pharmacy unit to ensure drugs are stored as recommended and thereby maintain their effectiveness.

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