The Cayman Islands Hospital Pharmacy, one of the busiest pharmacies on island, is currently feeling the impact of global shortage of some prescription drugs. This shortage of prescription medications is affecting many countries around the world, most notably the US and the UK, the main manufacturers and suppliers. As a result the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) Pharmacy is from time to time unable to source a variety of prescription medication in sufficient quantities to keep up with the demand.
Colin Medford, Chief Pharmacist with the HSA provided insight as to how the pharmacy at the Cayman Islands Hospital is affected by the shortage. He explained that the purchasing of medication is bound by annually tendered contracts awarded to suppliers; however, even when orders are placed with our suppliers there is no guarantee that the ordered amounts will be delivered because of the shortage of medications that exists.
“The HSA orders larger quantities of prescription drugs than any other pharmacy on island and stock the widest variety of drugs, including a range of specialist medicines, therefore the drug shortages that are occurring in the US and UK is causing a trickledown effect here in the Cayman Islands as both the US and the UK are our largest direct and indirect suppliers” Mr Medford confirmed.
Mr Medford acknowledged the high volume of patients served by the HSA, combined with global shortages can make things very difficult. “To reduce the inconvenience, the pharmacy tries to obtain whatever stock is available on the island, in order to facilitate patients who only use the government hospital,” he explained. “When this is not possible patients may be directed to private pharmacies to buy their prescription and request a refund for their purchase through an established process.”
The good news is that the situation has been improving over the past few months and we are asking our patients for their continued support and understanding. The HSA is doing everything in its power to retain an adequate supply of prescription drugs. According to Ms Lizzette Yearwood, CEO, “All efforts are being made to have substantial drug quantities in store for the hurricane season and these have already been ordered.”
Ms Yearwood said that the Health Services Authority makes the availability of pharmaceutical drugs an utmost priority for its patients despite the global supply challenges.
“We apologise for the inconvenience our patients are experiencing and appreciate their understanding of this ongoing global challenge,” she said.
A full statement on this topic is available on the HSA’s website – www.hsa.ky
CaymanNewsService– July 1, 2014
Cayman27– July 2, 2014
