The Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy (GNCoP) has decided to only provide medications for cash payments due to the current state of the economy.President of the Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association, William Adum Addo, made the announcement on behalf of the organisation on Thursday, October 20, 2022. It takes effect from now until the economy stabilises, he said.

0

 “All transactions with immediate effect shall be on cash basis until the economy stabilises,” he stated.This is likely to have an impact on the supply of medicines for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which is largely based on credit. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is a social intervention program introduced by the government to provide financial access to quality health care for residents in Ghana.

1

The NHIS covers medication, namely, prescription medicines on the National Health Insurance Scheme Medicines List, traditional medicines approved by the Food and Drugs Board and prescribed by accredited medical and traditional medicine practitioners. Any other services approved by the Minister of Health.

2

Health facilities operating under this service (largely government institutions) provide services for the NHIS subscribers and submit claims for services rendered to the NHIS District/Municipal/Metropolitan offices for reimbursement.It is largely funded by the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), however, it secures medication for persons enrolled on the scheme on credit basis.

3

 GNCoP, thus, entreated the NHIS and other private health insurance companies to seek funds to purchase medicines on a cash basis for distribution to patients under the various schemes.It also encouraged “end user institutions; that is retail pharmacies, private hospitals and clinics to secure loans from banks to buy medicines with cash.

4

”Mr Addo also called on the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning to release funds immediately to settle all past-due obligations as well as to pay off debts that have been outstanding for more than nine months.Touching on the current economic situation, GNCoP said the impending crisis is capable of affecting lives and the health of the nation.

5

“The effect of medicine prices will not only result in challenges with medicine availability and accessibility but most importantly the quality of life of Ghanaians, because we all know health is wealth. They cannot afford the exorbitantly high cost of medicine … very soon a sizable number of industry players may be forced to fold up or lay off staff,” he said.Source: The Independent Ghana

6