Barbados is now one of the few, if not the only country in the Americas, to have a web-based national drug formulary.

This follows the launch of the electronic formulary this morning at the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ headquarters, Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road, St. Michael.

Persons may access the extensive list of drugs available through the Barbados Drug Service’s National Drug Formulary by logging on to https://formulary.drugservice.gov.bb/bndf2022.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, told those in attendance that the new web-based formulary was “a long time in coming” and would reduce errors in pharmacotherapy (medical treatment by means of drugs) and dispensing.

“Most of you might be familiar with the Barbados National Drug Formulary, which was first launched in 1980, some 43 years ago, and hence the significance of this morning.  It is an educational tool, a reference book and it has also been used in teaching, in medicine, nursing and also in pharmacy.  

“The National Formulary normally includes, apart from the categorisation of pharmaceutical agents based on the various therapeutic groups, information on [drug] indications, contra-indications, dosages, drug interactions etc.  It provides a wealth of information, and, of course, the generic and brand names of drugs and the prices of the various drugs,” Mr. Walcott said.

He continued: “Having the formulary online makes it easily accessible. It can be downloaded to your devices and you can quickly check things, especially those of you who like to peruse the shelves of pharmacies. It helps the health professionals as it relates to the prescription and dispensing issues that can occur, and also in educational purposes for those studying to be nurses, doctors and pharmacists.

“And of course, the patients being empowered [by being able to check their medications, drug interactions and dosages].  I certainly believe this will reduce a lot of errors that can occur in pharmacotherapy (medical treatment by means of drugs) and dispensing. This is truly something that is long overdue and can only bring benefits to all Barbadians as it relates to their health care.”

He further added that the new online version would not only benefit patients and health professionals but also caregivers who could use it to check “when they are in doubt regarding interactions with certain drugs” for patients.  Additionally, athletes can also access the formulary to ensure that they are not prescribed drugs that are prohibited in sports.

In his address, Chairman of the National Drug Formulary, Dr. Kenneth Connell, agreed that formularies eliminated errors with prescriptions.

“Perhaps in the future, we will be able to incorporate more robust guidelines so that prescribers can see, young and old, not just which drugs are available but how they should implement them in their management plans. Every single day in my clinic I see prescribing errors done by both junior and senior physicians. It is just part of human nature. Formularies help to prevent this and there is evidence to suggest that,” he said, pointing out that drug formularies were the barometers of health care systems.

The web-based formulary will be updated in real-time so members of the public would know which drugs were added or removed by just logging on. It is also hoped that as it is further developed, it will become more patient and user-friendly for lay persons.

The National Drug Formulary is published by the Drug Formulary Committee chaired by Dr. Connell, and comprises representatives from the Pharmaceutical Society; the nurses’ association, the medical fraternity, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners, the psychiatry association and lay representatives.

melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb