The Ministry of Health is currently reassessing the medications provided under the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP), according to Dr. Rishad Seecheran, Minister in the Ministry of Health. This announcement came in response to a query from Independent Senator Dr. Desiree Murray during a Senate session on October 29. Dr. Seecheran highlighted that the CDAP drug list was recently updated on October 1, now including treatments for glaucoma such as Timolol Maleate 0.5 percent, Pilocarpine two percent, and Pilocarpine four percent. The CDAP technical committee, established by Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe on June 5, is tasked with ensuring the medications are both cost-effective and aligned with clinical guidelines. The committee employs a methodology based on World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and National Disease Burden Profiles to review all identified disease states. Dr. Seecheran also mentioned that future consultations with the Ophthalmological Society are planned to further modernize the drug list while considering cost-effectiveness. In the same session, Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste assured that the government is committed to improving job accessibility for people with disabilities, stating that all positions are open to them.
