Friday, October 30 – Government and the private sector are moving to improve cooperation in the fight against counterfeit medicines.
A workshop entitled ‘Anti-Counterfeit Workshop: Combating Counterfeit Medicines’ was held yesterday at the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies, Paraquita Bay. It was hosted by Ministry of Health and Social Development in collaboration with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Pharmaceutical Procurement Service (OECS/PPS), and attracted over 50 public and private sector participants.
Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe reiterated the importance of cooperation and the sharing of information among stakeholders in order to detect and seize counterfeit medicines. The Deputy Secretary addressed personnel from Her Majesty’s Customs, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the BVI Health Services Authority, the Pharmacy at Peebles Hospital, the Road Town Clinic, and several privately owned pharmacies, all of whom were present.
"If you cooperate as key stakeholders we will be able to combat counterfeit medicines in this Territory; it takes a multi-sectoral approach", she said. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC the Deputy Secretary also underscored the Government’s concern about counterfeit medicines and its commitment to offer an effective response.
She noted, among other things, that the Ministry will soon have the capacity to screen for counterfeit and substandard medicines, with the aid of recently acquired technical equipment.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Irad Potter said it is important for the Territory to develop the ability to detect what products are being imported, their origin, and intended uses. He further noted that the recent appointment of a Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services is a significant achievement, which will help Government to modernise its legislations regarding the importation and distribution of pharmaceutical medicines.
During the opening of yesterday’s workshop Head of the OECS/PPS Mr. Francis Burnett present a cheque for US $5,000 to the Government and said the donation is part of that organisation’s annual recurrent expense item, aimed at strengthening pharmaceutical services and structures in OECS member countries.
Mr. David Crawford of the Barbados Drug Service, made a presentation entitled "A practical guide for professionals", while the Ministry’s Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services Ms. Gracia Wheatley addressed "Developing Working Relationships and International Cooperation".
The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the British Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News