The Ministry of Health regrets statements attributed to National Workers Union (NWU) President, Vincent Morrison in a section of the news media, stating that no discussions have taken place with that union with regard to the possible redeployment of pharmacy technicians attached to Regional Health Authorities to the National Health Fund (NHF).

Director of Personnel at the Health Ministry Benjamin Waysome notes that all the unions representing the government pharmacy service have been included in on-going deliberations on the rationalization of the pharmacy service. The discussions are primarily aimed at improving the level of service offered to the public and filling a shortfall of two thirds of the 150 posts in the establishment for pharmacists in the government service.

The shifting of the positions of pharmacists from the Ministry of Health which oversees the Regional Health Authorities, to the NHF, will enable the service to attract more pharmacists through better terms and conditions of work there, as the service is unable to attract and retain pharmacists at the current salary scales. It is also aimed at easing a range of shortcomings including long delays at government pharmacies, overcrowding of such facilities and an inability to operate some health centre pharmacies.

The consultation exercise is also geared at redistributing the levels of pharmacists in a manner that better reflects desired staffing compliments, creating opportunities for upward mobility within the service and improving the balance of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians to improve supervision levels.

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Contact: MOH, Public Relations Unit Tel: 967-1561

You can view this press release and other information on our website at www.moh.gov.jm