St Kitts-Nevis health ministry claims to have adequate insulin formulations

St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Health claims that there are adequate stocks of insulin formulations available at local hospitals and public pharmacies are adequately stocked for persons with Diabetes Mellitus.

The Ministry of Health has issued a statement confirming that Central Medical Stores have adequate stock of the usual fast-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin formulations.

The Ministry reassured the general public that the present batches of insulin in stock have adequate shelf lives based on the expiration dates noted on the packages.

The statement said inaccurate information is circulating in the media regarding a stock-out or non-availability of insulin on-island. The inaccurate information also alleges that patients’ prescriptions are being filled with expired insulin. This information is not only false but is also deliberately misleading.

The Ministry underscored that its insulin stock is not exhausted, and that all persons with Diabetes who are maintained on insulin are presently able to access usual treatment.

The Ministry of Health said one of its priorities is to ensure that all persons with Diabetes have access to all medication, including insulin. Diabetes is a chronic Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) and the Ministry of Health is committed in its fight against this and other common illnesses.