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August 12 St. Johns Antigua: Director of Pharmaceutical Services Casford King says Antigua and Barbuda is in the process of creating a National Drug Policy.Mr. King who recently returned from a one week intensive training course in the Dominican Republic on Medicines Policy said that the policy will ensure that emphasis is placed on the coherent use of medicines ensuring quality, safety and efficacy of all Pharmaceutical products.

The Director of Pharmaceutical Services says that the policy will also ensure Governments’ commitment to a Pharmaceutical service that is effectively led and efficiently managed.

He outlines that the National Drug Policy is expected to come on stream by December 2005.

Mr. King further states that the one week training course provided Antigua and Barbuda with the necessary tools and guidelines for the further development of the National Drug Policy and Essential Medicines List.

It was also stated that the National Drug Policy will give credence to Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) and rational prescribing of pharmaceuticals.

“This will create the need for conducting Drug Utilization Studies aimed at identifying Prescribing patterns of practicing Physicians in Hospitals and community clinics,” he said.

The course which was sponsored the Pan American Health Organization also addressed Regional legislation for pharmaceuticals, registration of products and (IPR) International Property Rights issues for the procurement and manufacture of Pharmaceuticals.