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- Lower Long and High Street St John's, Antigua
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The delivery of Pharmacy Service in the public health care system in Antigua and Barbuda is a function of the Ministry of Health, Wellness & the Environment and its subsidiary entities (MBS, SLBMC and Hana Thomas Hospital). As a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) the country participates in a centralized procurement mechanism, the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States – OECS/PPS), which is function of the OECS Secretariat located in St. Lucia and operating since its inception in 1986. This mechanism has realized significant cost savings to health care delivery in the entire subregion while at the same time resulted in making healthcare more cost effective and available to the persons utilizing the services offered. The procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies is facilitated by the Antigua and Barbuda Central Medical Procurement Unit. In Antigua and Barbuda anyone can access the services by visiting the many Pharmacy locations (and paying the applicable EC$5.00 Administrative Fee) strategically located throughout both islands (see contact listing below). The government and people of Antigua and Barbuda have been the recipient of two (2) recently grant funded built and furnished modern healthcare facilities which once operationalized will offer Pharmacy services in those locations (Glanvilles and Villa) which previously did not exist thereby making the services more accessible to the public. Pharmacy services can also be accessed at the Hana Thomas Hospital on the sister island of Barbuda.
The training of individuals to become Pharmacists in Antigua and Barbuda is critical if we are to continue offering the level of service that is required with the requisite number of personnel to effectively and efficiently cater to the services in this ever-changing healthcare environment. As a result the Pharmacy School was revitalized and commenced classes in February of 2017 at the Associate Degree level. To date the first cohort of six (6) students have graduated and are offering professional services in the community. Presently there are forty three (43) students enrolled in the Pharmacy School
and the second cohort of students are expected to complete their course of study shortly. Interested persons desirous of pursuing a career in Pharmacy practice can visit the Antigua State College website, visit the Golden Grove location or call the contact number for further information.
The Pharmacy Council, a creature of the Pharmacy Act 1995 consists of seven (7) persons each elected to serve based on the provision of the Act. The members of the Pharmacy Council are as follows: · The Director of Pharmaceutical Services , ex-officio: Mr. Alfred Athill RPh · One Representative of the Medical Association: Dr. Alafea Stevens · A person involved in Teaching: Ms. Alicia Frederick RPh · Three Representatives from the Pharmaceutical Society: Mr. Kegan Goodwin RPh, Mrs. Sandra Jonas-Margetson RPh, Mr. Algernon Roberrts RPh · A Representative of Consumer Interest: Ms. Alicia Aska |
The auxiliary staff of the Council is as follows:
The Pharmacy Council is primarily responsible for the safety of the general public by ensuring the availability of safe and efficacious medicines according to international standards and also to maintain professional standards according to the legislations governing the profession. The Board of Inspectors which is the enforcement arm of the Pharmacy Council consist of three (3) Pharmacists whose responsibilities include ensuring that Pharmacist and All business entities engaged in the sector are adhering to All the laws that impacts their functions and operations. |
Mr. Alfred Athill started his professional career in Pharmacy having completed Secondary School in June of 1984. He initially completed the “on the job” training in 1987 (required at that time) to obtain a “Certificate of Competency” to be registered as a Pharmacist in Antigua and Barbuda. Mr. Athill obtained a three (3) years government scholarship to further his professional studies at the Barbados Community College which he successfully completed in 1992. Since his return Mr. Athill has worked in several arears of Pharmacy practice in the public health care system including Supervisor of Pharmacy, Holberton Hospital; Manager of Medical Stores, Holberton Hospital; Materials Manager, Mount St. Johns Medical Center; Central Medical Stores Manager, Ministry of Health and Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health. He is the Ministry’s representative and by extension the country’s focal point on several important committees including TECHPHARM (CARICOM Expanded Technical Advisory Committee on Pharmaceutical Policy) and CRS (Caribbean Regulatory Systems). He has also participated in several meetings regionally and internationally that has developed guidelines for pharmacy practice and health delivery in general. Mr. Athill is also a member of the Pharmacy Council (the body mandated by law to regulate the pharmaceutical sector and pharmacy practice in Antigua and Barbuda
The Pharmacy ( Amendment) Act, 2019