Changes to the Barbados National Drug Formulary, 36th Ed
4 Major Changes to Formulary
1. Active Ingredient remains on Formulary but the brand contracted changes
2. Active Ingredient changes Category
3. Active Ingredient is deleted from the BNDF
4. Active ingredient added to BNDF
1. Active ingredient remains on BNDF but the brand contracted changes
e.g. Gliclazide (Diamicron) to a generic Gliclazide; Indapamide (Natrilix) to a generic Indapamide
2. Active ingredient changed Category
e.g. Prazosin,Terazosin from Category A to B
e.g. Acarbose from Category A to C
These products would be made available until the end of September 2018 providing the prescription was first filled before the end of March 2018 and there are valid refills
e.g. Mequitazine from Category C to A
3. Active Ingredient deleted from the BNDF
e.g. All products containing HCTZ; amlodipine/telmisartan combinations
These products would be made available until the end of September 2018 providing the prescription was first filled before the end of March 2018 and there are valid refills
4. Active ingredient added to BNDF
Fluticasone/Vilanterol – Relvar for COPD to Category A
Umeclidinium/Vilanterol – Anoro Ellipta for COPD to Category BQ
Bosentan for pulmonary artery hypertension to Category BQ
What would be available to September?
1. Active Ingredient deleted from the BNDF
All products containing HCTZ (CoDiovan, Exforge HCT)
Amlodipine/telmisartan combinations (Twynsta)
2. Active ingredient changed Category
From Category A to B e.g. Prazosin,Terazosin
From Category A to C e.g. Acarbose (Glucobay)
What would NOT be available to September?
Active ingredient remains on BNDF but the brand contracted changes
e.g. Diamicron MR
e.g. Xalatan Eye Drops
Why not?
Because an alternate brand would be available – e.g. Gliclazide, Latanoprost
CATEGORIES OF FORMULARY
Category A
Available to beneficiaries in both the public and private sector through BDS pharmacies and SBS programme
Available at reduced price to non- beneficiaries through duty free and VAT zero-rated prices.
Category B
Approved for use in the public sector only
May be institution specific
BH – Available for pharmacies in all hospitals and clinics servicing patients in the Alternative Care for the Elderly Programme
BP – For Psychiatric Services including clinics with psychiatric services
BQ – Available at QEH only
A request (Category B Request) for use of these drugs in patients in public sector must be made by the MOH at the institution or Consultant at the QEH through the Chairman, Drug & Therapeutics Committee, QEH or Director, BDS respectively
Approval must be granted.
Only on prescriptions originating from that institution
Category C
Available in the private sector only at subsidized cost through VAT zero-rated and duty free concessions.
Changes – Who? Why?
Who made these changes and why were they made?
The review was done by local doctors and pharmacists and
It was based on regional and international guidelines, and
They were made in the interest of good patient care and to provide the best medication available.
