The Ministry of Health in Belize issued a press release in response to a statement made by the Pharmacists Association regarding regulatory frameworks for pharmacy. The Ministry notes that the Pharmacists Association did not attempt to contact them to discuss the issues. The Ministry rejects some points raised by the Association but agrees on others. They have invited the Pharmacists Association to meet and discuss the issues further. The Ministry is also working to strengthen inspections of pharmaceuticals sold privately and create an independent drug inspectorate unit to regulate standards.

1. BELIZE PRESS OFFICE
●Phone: 822-0094 or 0092 ●Fax: 822-2671 ● website: www.belize.gov.bz
PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Health Invites the Pharmacy Association to Dialogue on
Regulatory Framework in Pharmacy
Belmopan. March 12, 2014. The Ministry of Health notes with concern a press
release issued by the Pharmacists Association dated March 11, 2014. As always, the
Ministry of Health is happy to discuss any issues the Association may have, but
regrets that the executive of the Association has not made any attempt to contact the
Ministry in this regard. Nonetheless, the Ministry is open to discuss such issues at
any convenient time and has already responded by inviting the executive of the
Association to meet.
While the Ministry supports several of the points raised by the executive, it opposes
others. Some of the issues raised appear to be flawed conclusions based presumably
on inaccurate information. The Ministry emphatically rejects the underlying premise
of the release.
Certainly, the quality of pharmaceuticals is an important issue. The public sector has
a clear and transparent procurement process in place which optimizes the quality of
supplies – but the inspections over pharmaceuticals sold privately have been weak
and must be strengthened.
The Ministry also agrees that a strong, independent unit should be created, staffed
and empowered to carry out these and other functions.
The Ministry notes that indeed a highly qualified and extremely professional officer
has been recruited to head an independent drug inspectorate unit, but to discuss the
professional attributes of this or any other officer in a public forum is not encouraged
by the Ministry of Health.
Once again, the Ministry regrets that no attempt was made by the executive to
discuss this issue but has already responded by inviting the executive to meet to
discuss at a mutually convenient time.
The Ministry of Health continues to work extremely hard to promote the highest
possible standards throughout the national health system and anticipates the

2. continued strengthening of the drug inspectorate as we further develop the regulatory
framework to ensure these standards.
Ends