Core Function of the Pharmacy / Drug Inspectorate:
Includes reviewing, approving and registering drugs (antibiotics and narcotics) for the use in the country, ongoing monitoring and surveillance of these drugs, maintenance of drug formulary, monitoring for adverse effects regarding drugs etc. It also provides an optimal level of pharmaceutical care by monitoring and ensuring the proper use of effective, affordable, quality drugs (antibiotics and narcotics), equitable availability and accessibility to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

The mission of the Nutrition and Metabolism Division of the Ministry of Health is to promote healthy lifestyles by providing high quality nutrition education, through sustainable and evidence-based public health nutrition programmes & dietetic services to the population of Trinidad and Tobago, guided by established policies and best-practice standards.

Overview

The Ministry of Health provides immunization services at no charge to residents of Trinidad and Tobago through its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Click on the topics below to learn more about vaccines and vaccine safety.

The mission of the Health Education Division is to educate, through the provision of information and skills, to enable individuals and communities to take responsibility for their health and to mobilize communities for the creation of an environment which promotes wellness. The Health Education Division is responsible for the facilitation of the following activities:

Hansen's Disease

Hansen’s disease, commonly called leprosy, is a slightly infectious, chronic disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. This germ was discovered in Bergen, Norway in 1873 by Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen. The germ attacks mainly the skin, nerves and mucus membranes.

The External Patient Programme was established in 2014 and aims at ensuring quality and timely healthcare to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in partnership with the Regional Health Authorities through a Public Private Initiative.

The County Medical Officer of Health plays an important role in public health at the Ministry of Health. There are nine (9) County Medical Officers of Health based at various offices across the country. Their main responsibilities are to:

The Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) provides citizens with free prescription drugs and other pharmaceutical items to combat the following health conditions:

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Cardiac Diseases
• Arthritis
• Glaucoma
• Mental Depression
• High Blood Pressure
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate)
• Epilepsy
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Thyroid diseases

There are over 250 pharmacies throughout the country that provide medications through CDAP.