Pharmacists push for reclassification

And while service was provided for warded patients in the afternoon, the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) advised the public to go to the dispensary only in cases of urgent need.

The work stoppage came as a surprise to several people who went to the hospital very early expecting to get a number and queue up for their medication. They left angry and empty-handed.

A sign posted on the doors of the dispensary at PoSGH advised that the "pharmacy will be closed until further notice."

This news did not satisfy 63-year-old Hamat Ali, who travelled from Chin Chin Road in Cunupia twice to get his glaucoma medication. He told Newsday that he tried last Friday but the dispensary was closed. There was no notice posted then.

"It cost me $25 to come to town and $25 to go back. Fifty dollars gone down the drain again."

Ali said no one from the hospital was telling the public anything. Although he received a supply of two items on his prescription, Ali has been unable to get the most expensive item.

It is not available in the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) and costs approximately $185 at private pharmacies. Ali said the doctor at the eye clinic has insisted that he take his medication.

"When I go to the clinic, the doctor says I must get it, and when I come to the pharmacy they only saying next time." At 11.15 am, Ali decided he had waited long enough.

Sixty-four-year-old diabetic Irvin Martin left his Belmont home at 4 am to get a number so he would not have a long wait for his insulin medication. Martin said there were several people early and only when they made noise about the lack of service were the signs put up at about 10 am.

Those who decided to wait were given varying times when service would resume.

A hospital worker said the pharmacists were meeting with the Public Services Association and it may finish after lunch, while an RHA official said 1 pm. At 12.40 pm he reported that pharmacists had begun dealing with medication for wards. He told the few people waiting that they would attend to the public afterwards.

The official eventually collected their prescriptions and announced that anyone who came after would have to wait until after 3 pm for service.

Communications manager for the NWRHA Danielle Jones advised the public to visit the outpatient dispensary only "with urgent prescription need." She said medications which could be obtained through the CDAP should be accessed through private pharmacies.

Jones said the four pharmacists working at the PoSGH only dealt with medication for warded patients yesterday. She said the NWRHA was being proactive because it did not know what would happen after the meeting with the CPO yesterday afternoon.

The North Central RHA said the inpatient dispensary had "skeletal" staff (the outpatient dispensary has been closed for the past two months) while the Chaguanas dispensary was closed.

The Arima Health Facility dispensary was open as normal.

The PSA and CPO have been negotiating since the end of last year for the reclassification of Public Service pharmacists. They have not reached an agreement and the recent arrival of Filipino pharmacists to work at public institutions has only incensed the local pharmacists.

The PSA has supported the locals in their stance not to work with or supervise the Filipinos until all outstanding issues are settled.