The Medical Benefits Scheme, operating under the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, has officially opened a new Medical Benefits Pharmacy at the Glanvilles Polyclinic, expanding access to essential medications for residents in Antigua’s eastern corridor.
The pharmacy was formally commissioned during a ceremony held earlier today at the facility.
Among those in attendance were Sir Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs; Senator Michael Joseph, Minister of State within the Ministry; Chairman of the Medical Benefits Board Lionel Hurst; Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Benefits Scheme Kevin Silston; Acting Permanent Secretary Marsha Joseph; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamaria DeCastro; other Senior Technical Staff both within the Ministry of Health and the Medical Benefits Scheme.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Joseph emphasized that the addition of the pharmacy represents another important step in strengthening primary healthcare services and improving access to medications within communities.
“The addition of this pharmacy means that patients receiving care at this clinic will now be able to access their medications more conveniently and efficiently, without having to travel into St. John’s or to other locations,” the Minister stated.
“For many residents, particularly our elderly and those managing chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, this will significantly improve access to essential medications and make managing their health much easier.”
Minister Joseph noted that the establishment of the pharmacy forms part of the Government’s broader effort to decentralize healthcare services and improve access to pharmaceutical care across Antigua and Barbuda.
He also highlighted the importance of expanding the country’s pharmacy workforce in order to sustain such services.
The Minister pointed to the Government’s decision to revive the national pharmacy training programme in 2017 after it was halted in 2010.
The programme has since produced 30 graduates, helping to strengthen the pool of qualified pharmacists available to serve the country.
“This investment in training is particularly important because the expansion of pharmacy services across the country requires a sufficient number of qualified pharmacists,” the Minister noted.
The opening of the Glanvilles pharmacy follows the commissioning of a Medical Benefits Pharmacy at the Villa Polyclinic in June 2025, which similarly expanded access to medications for residents in that community.
With the addition of pharmaceutical services at the Glanvilles Polyclinic, residents of Glanvilles, Pares, Seatons, Willikies and surrounding communities will now benefit from more convenient access to medications while receiving care within their own community.
Officials from the Medical Benefits Scheme and the Ministry of Health noted that the initiative represents another step in strengthening community-based healthcare services and ensuring that residents across Antigua and Barbuda continue to benefit from improved access to essential health services.
The pharmacy will operate on a same-day basis on Mondays to Fridays from 8:00am to 3:00pm.