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The Facts on the National Prescription Drug Plan
By Eileen Fielder
Feb 24, 2012 - 1:28:46 PM

NIB Sets Record Straight on NPDP Drugs and Payment

Nassau, Bahamas - The following is an NIB Statement on the National Prescription Drug Plan Generic Drugs and Payments:

In light of recent misinformation heard on the radio airwaves with respect to the National Prescription Drug Plan and generic drugs, The National Insurance Board wishes, once again, to provide the public with the true facts about prescription drugs supplied by the National Prescription Drug Plan.

The public should know that the Drug Plan’s formulary of medications provides more than 160 drugs and medical supplies for the treatment of eleven chronic conditions.  These drugs include medications that are commonly prescribed by Bahamian physicians and were recommended by a panel of local medical experts comprising both physicians and pharmacists.

The Drug Plan’s formulary consists of a 40/60 percent mix of brand name and generic drugs with brand names available for many highly prescribed and critical medications.  This composition was agreed upon in order to ensure that the Plan would be affordable and sustainable over the long-term.

While it has been suggested that the generic drugs supplied by the Plan are inferior and unsafe, the facts are:

1. Generic drugs comprise exactly the same active ingredients as brand name drugs. They are sometimes distributed by the same manufacturer of the brand name drug or can be distributed by other companies under different names once the original drug patent has expired.
2. The manufacturers selected to provide generic drugs for the National Prescription Drug Plan all have a strong presence in the international market place. Most of the companies provide products in the US market and their facilities have been US FDA tested, HealthCanada certified or WHO approved.

3. Furthermore, NIB ensures the quality of its medications by randomly testing products. For example, last year NIB tested at least 1 product from each manufacturer (brand and generic).  Random drug testing by WHO (World Health Organization) approved labs outside of The Bahamas confirm that all brand and generic drugs that we provide under the NPDP passed all bio-equivalency and efficacy testing or in other words are performing as the manufacturers intended.  NIB’s closed supply chain also helps to maintain product quality.

It should be noted, however, that ALL drugs (both brand and generic drugs) have side effects. Also drugs may affect different patients differently. Therefore, if a drug does not agree with a patient this should be reported immediately to the patient’s attending physician. Depending on the severity of the side-effects, the physician may then discontinue the prescription and prescribe an appropriate alternative. The National Prescription Drug Plan does not stipulate that beneficiaries must continue using any formulary drug.

While the National Prescription Drug Plan exists to help beneficiaries better manage their chronic conditions by making prescription drugs more accessible and affordable, ultimately, it is up to each beneficiary to be responsible for his or her own health.  The National Insurance Board recommends that all beneficiaries take the time to read the drug information that is provided to them with their drugs. This information, including possible side effects for each prescription drug, can be found inside drug packaging, in handouts provided by Pharmacies and in the NPDP Patient Information Guides.

NPDP Patient Information guide booklets are available online at www.nibdrugplan.com and www.nib-bahamas.com and a t all NIB offices. These guides allow patients to read up on every drug the NPDP provides and what the pharmacy is actually providing.  Patients can ensure that the drug they are receiving is the actual brand and drug that was approved for distribution.

All products selected by the NPDP are required to provide product information in English and any products that do not should be brought to the Drug Plan Office immediately for evaluation.  If there is any difficulty understanding information that has been provided in English beneficiaries can speak with their Pharmacist and Physician or contact the Drug Plan office at 356-2032 or 502-1500. 

Finally, NIB wishes to set the record straight regarding payments to pharmacies under the NPDP.  It has been suggested that pharmacies under the Drug Plan dispense generics to the Drug Plan beneficiaries and then charge NIB for brand name products.  This is completely erroneous and false.

The fact is payment for NPDP medications are set based on the medication selected from the formulary and the cost of each product that is contracted with the wholesaler. The receipt each patient signs will state which product the patient should be receiving. If the receipt has a brand name, the patient should receive a brand name. The receipt also shows the amount that is billed to NIB, therefore, patients should be able to verify the information on their own.

The National Prescription Drug Plan, launched in 2010 as a first step towards National Health Insurance, continues to ascribe to the highest standards in providing quality products and excellent customer service.  We remain committed to “Reducing costs, increasing access, and improving health”  for all of our beneficiaries.

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