Consultation to review pharmaceutical acts, regulations commences

A consultation workshop began on Monday at Parc Rayne, Rahaman’s Park to review and discuss recommendations for the pharmaceutical acts and regulations in Guyana.
Present at the meeting were the Public Health Ministry’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud; Director of Pharmacies O’Neil Atkins, and representatives from the Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
In opening remarks, CMO Persaud indicated that while the existing legislation for the management of pharmaceuticals and other drugs could be viewed as effective, “there is a need for stricter enforcement”.

“We have quite a lot of very appropriate legislations; most of the time, it’s the enforcement that is lacking and sometimes we rush to say we need more, we need another law, but sometimes we don’t. What we need to do, is strengthen those existing bits of legislation,” Dr Persaud is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.
While the stakeholders agreed that the review would eventually facilitate affordable and timely access to drugs and medical supplies while the law is maintained, the PAHO/WHO body pledged its continuous support in the upholding of these regulations.
PAHO/WHO’s Health System and Services Advisor in Guyana, Paul Edwards noted, “We know that the Government of Guyana is committed, along with the partnership of PAHO, to improve the timeliness, accessibility and adequacy of the supply of essential quality, safe, cost-effective, scientifically sound drugs and medical products to the health facilities in all regions.”
The Advisor also pointed out that the consultations will also address the fact that more has to be done in order for all health systems to deliver on the full range of essential drugs and other medical products required to treat Non-Communicable Diseases and other life-threatening health conditions.
The acts and regulations which will be under review are the Food and Drug Act and Regulations, the Antibiotic Act and Regulations, the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act and Regulations, the Pharmacy Practitioners Act, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.