Almost a week after MOHW confirmed that it was enforcing its prescription regulations for contraceptives, the Pharmacy Association issued a press release.
It notes that there will be a 12 month phased implementation for the enforcement on general prescription medicines. According to the release, during this period, pharmacists will continue to dispense non-communicable disease medicines to known patients who previously had a valid prescription. The same goes for contraceptives, meaning you cannot walk into a pharmacy and purchase one over the counter unless you already had a prescription - which still presents a barrier to access.
This phased in approach does not apply to antibiotics or controlled substances, which continue to require a valid prescription in every instance.
Pharmacists are also not permitted to initiate contraceptive therapy. However, the Pharmacists Association of Belize has submitted a formal Oral Contraceptive Dispensing Protocol proposal to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which is currently under review.
MOHW, the Drug Inspectorate Unit, the Pharmacy Unit, and the Pharmacists Association of Belize will now undertake a coordinated public education and media campaign during the transition period.
