But as you've seen, there was plenty of backlash with this new regulatory enforcement - particularly as it relates to contraceptives. Coleman says she expected it, but she believes the pharmacists will be able to navigate it.
Beverly Coleman, PR - Belize Pharmacists Association of Belize
"I expected the backlash because we, for many decades, we have been able to walk into a pharmacy and to buy contraceptive over the counter. From the meeting we had with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, we voiced this concern as patient advocated, we voiced this concern and it is something that is open for discussion and the ministry has committed to meeting with the association on a quarterly basis for us to discuss issues like this. The enforcement of these regulations also bring up the conversation and the dialogue of expanded the scope of a pharmacist because of the geography of our country we have many rural areas where a doctor is not readily available or accessible and so we have, as the system stands right now, we have community health workers, we have rural health nurses, we have public health officers, we have different areas of the health system that are present in these rural areas but in many cases, doctors and pharmacists are not accessible so enforcement of these regulations now opens the dialogue of expanding the roles of pharmacists."
Reporter:
"Do you agree with the criticism that they should have consulted with the public more?"
Beverly Coleman, PR - Belize Pharmacists Association of Belize
"I don't think whether I agree or not, it's neither here or there with us. It is here now and we have to deal with what is happening now and pharmacists are patient advocates and we have to look out for the well being of our patients and clients. Pharmacists have always been counselors, we're teachers, so I guess we will get some backlash yes, but as pharmacists I don't think it's anything we can't handle."
