Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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NIB briefs staff on new drug plan By Inderia Saunders ~ Guardian Business Reporter ~ inderia@nasguard.com: The wheels are in motion for the launch of the National Prescription Drug Plan (NPDP), with National Insurance Board (NIB) staff members recently educated on their role in the launch. "The next steps for implementation of the plan," said NPDP Manager Tami Francis, "are completing our regulations, implementing an [Information Technology] system is currently underway, recruitment and training staff, that is now in progress, contracting pharmacies and conducting public outreach." Her comments came during a detailed briefing session with top managers and customer service staff this week. According to Francis, all NIB departments will be needed to successfully implement the plan. The drug plan is expected to be launched by April 2010 and Minister for Health Hubert Minnis this week said its implementation may go a long way to containing rises in health insurance premiums for man insured persons. Both public and private pharmacies will be contracted to provide drugs approved by the NPDP. Registered members of the plan will receive a swipe card from the NPDP which they must present to any participating pharmacy at the time of filling/claiming their prescription. Staff at NIB are expected to be instrumental in the proper execution and delivery of the services. The first phase of the plan is expected to provide prescription drugs from an approved list free of charge to members. This will cover approximately 30,000 to 35,000 persons including NIB pensioners, NIB invalids and children under 18 years of age or under 25 years in full time education. Friday January 29, 2010