Garth Rattray

I became aware of plans to close down the Health Corporation of Jamaica Limited (HCL) when Minister of Health and Environment Rudyard Spencer consented to speak with the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica. I know that he didn't mean to sound condescending; however, saying that he was under no obligation to speak with them made him seem that way.

I understand that the HCL operations were to be divided between two companies. One would handle the procurement and logistics of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies and the other would handle an expanded drug serv operation. Shockingly, the HCL staff first heard of the government's plans to wind up their company via the media. As soon as the announcement came through the system, ministry bureaucrats were requesting HCL staff personnel information (years of service, vacation leave, notice period and salary).

Although some complaints had surfaced in the media about the lack of adequate supplies to the health sector, in general, HCL was doing a good job at fulfilling its mandate. Before its incorporation (June 1994), procurement and storage of pharmaceuticals for distribution to government health institutions was haphazard, chaotic and expensive. HCL currently supplies all public hospitals and health centres islandwide with pharmaceuticals, sundries, sutures and vaccines (on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Environment).

Largest pharmacy chain

They carry the island's disaster preparedness supplies primarily because these items need to be rotated on a regular basis with their stock. They are also the procurement and warehouse entity for the World Bank HIV-programme.

HCL was recently commended on the tremendous job that it was doing as the only pharmaceutical procurement and warehousing entity in the island and (by citizens) for their health fairs and outreach programmes. Recent awards presented to the retail arm of HCL (Drug Serv Pharmacy, the largest pharmacy chain in the island) include the Cari-med Sales Award (2006-2007), the HD Hopwood Sales Award (2006-2007) and the Lasco Sales Award (2006- 2007).

The Drug Serv pharmacies have copped the National Health Fund (NHF) award for the largest number of NHF prescriptions processed every year since their operations. They also provide life-saving medications for cancers, dialysis and antiretroviral drugs at a minimum markup - thus ensuring significantly reduced costs to patients.

Unwilling

The Observer (February 11) concurred with information reaching me that the private companies (that were expected to fill the vacuum) would not be able to do a better job than the HCL and are currently unprepared, unwilling and underfinanced to tackle such a massive undertaking (which includes cushioning millions of dollars in payment lag to suppliers).

Obviously, someone failed to properly examine the HCL and its operations before condemning it. Since then, Minister Spencer met with the HCL staff to inform them that the company would no longer be wound up; instead, both the HCL and the NHF would be audited by an independent body to determine if their operations can be restructured to save money.

Although it was withdrawn, the announcement of HCL's closure had damaging repercussions. Some HCL overseas suppliers have become hesitant to send essential supplies. The hasty decision has left the HCL staff demoralised and denigrated after many years of hard work and noteworthy successes. They now distrust the government and question their future in an organisation devoid of job security.

Poor research, hasty conclusions and premature decisions can devastate entities and stakeholders alike. Streamlining the HCL is fine but the powers-that-be need to focus on assisting the NHF to expand its drug programme to include chronic illnesses like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.