Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the pharmaceutical sector in Guyana, during his address at the Massy Distribution 2nd Pharmacists Symposium at the Massy Convention Hall, Starlite Square, Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Speaking on the occasion, Dr Anthony extended best wishes to pharmacists in recognition of World Pharmacy Day and acknowledged their contribution to improving healthcare delivery across the country. He noted that the pharmacy profession has made significant progress through ongoing education, professional collaboration, and the introduction of new medical products. The Minister announced the completion of the new Medicines and Regulatory Bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon. The legislation aims to modernise the regulation of pharmaceuticals, with provisions for enhanced pharmacovigilance, batch testing of medications and clinical trial oversight to ensure patient safety and product quality.

“We are building a robust system that will allow us to monitor and test drugs locally, rather than depending on overseas laboratories. Construction will soon begin on a new Food and Drug Administration facility at the University of Guyana (UG) which will house a state-of-the-art drug testing laboratory,” Anthony said.
The Minister also outlined efforts to digitise the public health system through the introduction of electronic health records at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The system is expected to improve coordination between doctors, pharmacists, and laboratory staff, supporting safer and more efficient patient care. To address storage and distribution challenges, the Ministry is implementing a new inventory management system at the Materials Management Unit (MMU) in partnership with Ernst & Young, alongside the construction of modern medication bonds in several regions. These measures aim to enhance accountability and reduce drug shortages and expirations. Anthony encouraged pharmacists to partner with the Ministry in public health campaigns, including Pinktober for breast cancer awareness and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive for children aged 9 to 15. He highlighted that Guyana is among the first Caribbean countries to provide the Gardasil 9 vaccine, the most advanced HPV vaccine, free of cost.
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