By Zoila Palma: The Pharmacists Association of Belize (PAB) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) have agreed on a 12-month phased implementation plan for the enforcement of prescription requirements for general prescription medicines.
The agreement was reached during a stakeholder session held on April 13, 2026, at the Vaccine Building Conference Room at Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan, bringing together key health sector representatives.
Under the phased approach, pharmacists will continue dispensing non-communicable disease (NCD) medicines, including treatments for hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses, to known patients who have previously received these medications with a valid prescription.
The system is intended to maintain continuity of care while patients are gradually sensitized on the importance of keeping prescriptions current and attending regular medical follow-ups.
Antibiotics and controlled substances remain strictly outside the transition framework and continue to require valid prescriptions at all times.
The agreement also outlines specific provisions for oral contraceptives, which may only be dispensed to known users who have previously been prescribed the medication.
Pharmacists are not permitted to initiate contraceptive therapy under any circumstance.
In addition, MOHW has reopened the Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicines list for review, and PAB has been asked to submit evidence-based recommendations aligned with international standards for consideration in future policy updates.
The Pharmacists Association emphasized that the initiative is a structured transition rather than a change in law or entitlement.
“The Association welcomes the collaborative tone and the practical outcome of the April 13 session. The twelve-month transition protects patient continuity of care while the public is sensitized on the prescription requirements. Our members remain committed to safe, documented, and lawful practice throughout the transition and beyond,” said PAB President Jada Parchue.
PAB further noted the importance of public understanding and compliance during the rollout, stressing that prescription laws remain unchanged. “Prescription medicines continue to require a valid prescription as a matter of law,” the Association stated in its guidance on the framework. It also reiterated that “the phased approach does not authorize pharmacists to prescribe, diagnose, or substitute the role of a licensed prescriber.”
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By Zoila Palma: The Pharmacists Association of Belize (PAB) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) have agreed on a 12-month phased implementation plan for the enforcement of prescription requirements for general prescription medicines. The agreement was reached during a stakeholder session held on April 13, 2026, at the Vaccine Building Conference Room at
The post Pharmacists Association and Ministry of Health agree on 12-month phased Prescription rollout in Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
