The National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIS) medicines list for 2014 has been approved by the Ministry of Health and its implementation takes effective from July 1.
A statement signed by the NHIA’s Communications Manager, Selorm Adonoo announced that the medicines list contains 522 formulations of medicines.
Also, three medicines which were not on the previous list have been added to the new list, “which reflect current treatment protocols, provide treatment options and ease the dispensing process.”
The list is annually reviewed in consultations with stakeholders to ensure that prices of medicines on the list reflect market trends.
Medicines prescribed to subscribers at NHIS-accredited health facilities are derived from this list which is based on the broad Ghana Essential Medicines List of the Ministry of Health and covers the benefit package of the NHIS.
The Director of Research and Development at the NHIA, Mr OB Acheampong said: “the revised NHIS Artesunate injection 30mg, one of the three additions, has been introduced to cater for paediatric doses and prevent wastage after reconstitution.”
“Cholera Replacement Fluid 1 Litre is added because it is cost effective and readily available than the 500mL, while Ciprofloxacin+ Tinidazole Tablet, 500mg+ 500mg has been added to the new list because the combined formulation is easier to administer than taking them separately,” he added.
Mr Acheampong also noted that the review reflects an average of 37% upward adjustment of medicine prices in line with the current price changes.
The NHIA expressed its appreciation to all survey respondents in both the public and private sectors who provided pricing data for the review, stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry, and members of the Medicines List Technical Committee for the key roles they played in the review.
The Authority further thanked its esteemed healthcare providers for their understanding during the period of the review.
Source: NHIA