Government addresses drug shortages and spending on Chronic Disease Assistance Programme

During a Standing Finance Committee examination of the Ministry of Health’s budget, Hans des Vignes questioned the government about its revised Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) list. Health Minister Dr Lakram Bodoe responded that the government projects spending $33 million on CDAP drugs in fiscal 2027, an increase from the $29.9 million spent in fiscal 2026. Bodoe noted that the revised list replaced older medications with newer ones, and 49 out of the 52 items covered are currently available.

The CDAP program serves approximately 300,000 citizens through 289 private pharmacies. The projected increase in expenditure reflects the government's efforts to manage drug shortages and incorporate more advanced medications into the public health system.