KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Health Fund (NHF) has announced that effective immediately, and for the next seven days, beneficiaries of its Card Programme can refill their prescriptions early.

In a release on Monday, the NHF said the move is in a bid to help cardholders restock their medication as they prepare for Hurricane Beryl, which is expected to impact Jamaica on Wednesday.

The allowance is as outlined below:

• Prescriptions filled for a 30-day supply can be refilled on day 15
• Where prescriptions were filled for a 60-day supply, refills can be done on day 45
• Where prescriptions were filled for a 90-day supply, refill can be done on day 75

In their statement, the NHF expressed that where applicable, cardholders including Jamaica Drugs for the Elderly Programme (JADEP) beneficiaries are encouraged to visit a participating pharmacy closest to them to refill their scripts.

The lists of pharmacy locations are available on our website at https://www.nhf.org.jm/nhf-card/#providers-list.

NHF’s Chief Executive Officer, Everton Anderson, in emphasising how critical access to medication is, said “Taking medication on time, as prescribed by the doctor is the best way to manage a non-communicable disease, even if the patient feels well. Ensuring that beneficiaries have sufficient medication to stick to their treatment plan during and after the hurricane is important to us and as such we have made the necessary arrangements for this to be realised.”

Drug Serv Patients are also urged to make use of the NHF’s alternative services such as the Quick Prescript Mobile App, Scheduled Refills and the Drop Off and Pick-Up Services to reduce their waiting time at the pharmacy.