Caribbean Pharmaceutical Policy - 2013

Every human being is entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health conducive to living in dignity. Access to health care, which includes access to essential medicines,
is a prerequisite for realising that right. National medicines expenditures, as a proportion of total health expenditures, currently range from 7% to 66% worldwide.
In the Caribbean, the implementation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) provide a favourable environment for regional integration. However, there are challenges in the area of health, given the health situation, geography, limited human resources and continued migration. At the same time, the tourism sector is being challenged by poor sanitation, untreated sewage that may damage beaches, food-borne disease outbreaks in public places, the threat of natural disasters and the need to mount an effective, rapid response to manage and control epidemics. There is a need to focus on achieving a strong, comprehensive and integrated public health response through health environment strategies that address these priority areas.