Issues on Dispensing Dr Percy Mahlathi

National Drug Policy 1996 Health objectives: Availability & accessibility of medicines Safety, efficacy & quality Rational use by prescribers, dispensers & patients through training, education & information Concept of individual responsibility for health, preventive care & informed decision making

National Drug Policy Economic objectives: Lower cost in private & public sectors Promote cost-effective & rational use Establish complementary partnership between government and private providers in pharmaceutical sector

Registration & Licensing Only registered practitioners & licensed (Act 101 of 1965) Medical Practitioners & Nurses not permitted to dispense except where no services available For doctors & nurses to dispense, need dispensing license

Registration & Licensing Proven competency by virtue of successful completion of training programme Uniform norms & standards incorporated into one set of regulations Non-pharmacist ownership, pharmacy to be under the full-time management & supervision of a registered pharmacist

Act 90 of 1997 Many aspects of national drug policy incorporated into Act 90 Consideration of objective conditions Ensure minimum deviation from policy position Leave room for improvement based on experience gathered during implementation

Other issues in GP Market forces Direct payment Self referral to specialists Pre-authorization Oversupply in certain areas HMO’s

Progress on Licensing