New NHIA Medicine List Out

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has revised the medicine list of the National Health Insurance Scheme with effect from October 1.

The revision was done in accordance with the Legislative Instrument 1809, which mandated the NHIA to review the medicine list in consultation with stakeholders and adjust prices of the drugs agreed upon by the NHIS and major stakeholders.

According to Executive Secretary of NHIA, Mr. Sylvester Mensah medicines on the list were described in their generic or international non propriety names and include the dosage form and strength; and should be prescribed by their names.

Mr. Mensah said medical practitioners, dentists, midwives, medical assistants and nurses in special fields and working in accredited facility were authorised to prescribe medicines and that all prescriptions should be in conformity with Ghanaian laws including the Pharmacy Act 1994 (Act 489), the Medical and Dental Council Decree 1972 (NRCD 91) and the Midwives Decree 1972 (NRCD 117).

He stressed that medications for free public health services that were exempted from payment of fees such as childhood immunisations, family planning, in- patient and out-patient treatment of mental illness, treatment of Onchocerciasis, Buruli Ulcer and Trachoma; and confirmatory HIV test on AIDS were not on the list.

A national survey on prices was undertaken using the methodology of the World Health Organisation and Health Action International collecting data from manufacturers, wholesale distributors, private pharmacies, government, mission, and private health facilities located in all the 10 regions, he said.