NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Ministry of Health has tightened inventory controls at the three state-owned healthcare facilities and at the community clinic level to ensure that a readily available supply of fast-moving drugs ?is kept on hand,? Minister of Health Dr. the Hon. Hubert A Minnis said Thursday.

Dr. Minnis said tightening of controls is part of a series of measures health officials have implemented to improve efficiency in operations. The new measures were implemented in response to complaints of long lines at hospital and clinic registration counters, protests against long waiting times to see physicians, and a ?clamor for more drugs,? he said.

?We tightened our inventory controls so that our clinics are able to keep a supply of fast-moving drugs readily available,? Dr. Minnis said. ?We have revamped the distribution of drugs at the Princess Margaret Hospital, established a line for senior citizens only, and reduced the number of persons sent to other clinics to have prescriptions filled.?

Health officials have also increased their orders of the most commonly used drugs, particularly those used to combat chronic, non-communicable diseases including diabetes, hypertension and cancer. A 'Drop Off' system has also been implemented so that prescriptions can be written one day, dropped off and filled the next day.

?We have heard the clamor for more drugs," said Dr Minnis. "The claims of long waiting lines at hospital and clinic registration counters, the protests against the long waiting times to see physicians, and the calls for better, more timely service, and we have responded. We have improved efficiencies in operations at no additional cost, while providing greater satisfaction to the general public.?

Officials have also made adjustments with regards to staffing, primary among them being, the removal of technical staff from administrative duties.

?This was done so that they could assist in providing the service for which they have the training and competence,? Dr. Minnis said.