The Ghana Chamber of Pharmacy is proposing that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) be made to pay a penalty for delays in payment of accumulated arrears.
The Chamber, two weeks ago threatened to cut distribution of drugs to hospitals operating under the NHIA.
It later rescinded its decision after the Authority released GHC 104 million to settle claims for the months of August and September, 2013.
The Chamber is suggesting that the payment of penalties will encourage prompt payment.
Stanley Adjei, the Head of Research and Advocacy at the Ghana Chamber of Pharmacy mentioned that government should begin applying the “principles in governance” by making the NHIA pay penalties.
“Your money can stay for as long as it can and sometimes, by the time it comes, the value is just diminished or gone and even going into your capital” adding that the institution of a penalty will enable the suppliers get their monies worth.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana