BVI hosts OECS meeting on affordable medicine for the region

For the first time, the British Virgin Islands hosted the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Pool Procurement Services (PPS) meeting to discuss improving access to affordable medicines across the Caribbean.

The three-day meeting, held from November 26–28, brought together Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Chief Pharmacists from the region. Discussions focused on establishing better communication protocols, creating a platform for regional policymakers, and identifying priority issues to be presented to the OECS PPS Policy Board.

Chief Medical Officer for the BVI, Dr. Ronald Georges, emphasized the benefits the territory stands to gain.

“This will create greater cost-effectiveness within the health system. It will also ensure that we access high-quality, appropriate medical products. Part of this process also requires harmonisation of commodities across the OECS region,” Dr. Georges said.

He highlighted plans to establish a strategic commodity store to mitigate challenges with costs, logistics, and transportation, thereby reducing stock-out situations.

“This will help to develop health systems, increasing efficiency and functionality, and contributing to the development of the territories,” Georges added.

The OECS PPS, described as a vital initiative for regional healthcare, pools resources from member states to secure favorable terms with pharmaceutical suppliers, resulting in significant cost savings. It also provides technical support and professional training to strengthen healthcare systems.

Roselyn Opel, Head of the OECS PPS, reiterated the importance of the initiative.

“We want to ensure that moving forward all of our member states have the required medicines and commodities to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of health care delivery,” she said.

The BVI government, in a press release, noted the OECS PPS’s role in fostering relationships between pharmacies and suppliers, ultimately contributing to stronger healthcare systems across the region.