PHILIPSBURG--Four persons have been appointed to the remuneration system of pharmaceuticals committee GVS.
Attorney at law Peter Hendrik Bruns was appointed as the committee’s independent chairman; pharmacist Andwele D. Illes was appointed to serve as the independent pharmacist; internist Dr. Gabe Gerben van Essen was appointed to serve as the independent medical physician; and prescription control officer at Social and Health Insurances SZV Luchienne Wespel was selected by the SZV director and its board and appointed to serve as member.
Health Minister Emil Lee installed the committee on August 9. The GVS committee was put in place to advise the Minister of Public Health on matters related to the system regulating the remuneration cost of pharmaceuticals.
The committee is expected to provide “an informed” advice to the Minister of Public Health and provide solicited and unsolicited advice to the minister on “all matters, amongst other things.
Lee was quoted as saying in a press release on Monday that when the committee is operational, the public and private sector would see some tangible benefits reflected in lower cost due to efficient management of the system regulating the remuneration cost for pharmaceuticals. “The public will pay less for particular drugs and it is estimated that the Social and Health Insurances will save approximately NAf. 6 million,” the release said. It did not specify whether the savings will be annually or span a longer period.
