PATIENT LOAD in pharmaceutical services has increased by 100 per cent in some public health facilities, prompting the Ministry of Health to pursue initiatives with the University of Technology to improve recruitment of pharmacists for the public health sector.

On April 1, user fees were abolished in public facilities across the island, except at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Public patients do not have to pay for, among other things, registration, surgeries, medication and X-ray.

There is currently an acute shortage of pharmacists and phar-macy technicians in the public health system.

Quick move

"We have embarked on a strategy trying to recruit out of the University of Technology a number of interns," Health Minister Rudyard Spencer told journalists during a press conference, called at his downtown Kingston offices to update the nation on the abolition of user fees. "We have been having discussions through the permanent secretary and her team to meet with Pharmacy Council so they can assist us with that drive."

He added: "We are expecting to have, by next week, an additional 40 to 45 persons in the system as a result of that drive."

Drug sales increase

Meanwhile, there have been reports that some patients have not been able to get medication in some facilities. Spencer said this was not significant, as less than five per cent of patients are experiencing this problem.

Since March 15, the sale of drugs from Health Corporation Limited to health facilities amounted to $107.5 million. This includes $32.48 million in sales between April 1 and 14.

Spencer said he has met with the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica and representatives of pharmacy technicians and an agreement was reached to address the systemic issues affecting pharmacists and technicians.

Review of list

The agreement includes payment of premium rates to attract phar-macists in the private sector to work sessions in the public health sector, and pro-rated premium rates to be paid to staff who work beyond normal working hours.

Meanwhile, Spencer said his ministry would be reviewing the Vital Essential and Necessary (VEN) list. The World Health Organisation recommends an essential drug list for rational drug use which guides the development of the VEN list. The list has 540 drug items and covers the critical conditions and most frequently encountered illnesses.