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Medicines List: National Health Insurance Scheme
Medicines List: National Health Insurance Scheme
MEDICINES LIST
JULY 2018
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... ii
2.0 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... ii
3.0 Exclusions ......................................................................................................................................... iii
4.0 How to use this document ............................................................................................................... iii
4.1 Local codes (Nine Alpha-numeric characters)............................................................................. iv
5.0 Level of Prescribing ......................................................................................................................... vi
6.0 Prescribing Guidelines.................................................................................................................... vii
7.0 Dispensing Guidelines ................................................................................................................... viii
8.0 Labelling ......................................................................................................................................... viii
9.0 List of Medicines and Prices ............................................................................................................. 1
2.0 Methodology
The NHIS ML review process involves national medicine price surveys, extensive stakeholder
engagements and technical committee deliberations in order to arrive at the final list of medicines and
their reimbursable prices.
This July 2018 reviewed version is however the product of a different methodology brought about by
the implementation of the policy on removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from medicines by the Ministry
of Health (MOH). The objective of this policy, passed into law in November 2017, was to reduce the
prices of medicines as part of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) since appropriately priced
medicines that are affordable play an important role in access to medicines.
A technical committee under the leadership of the Deputy Minister of Health and made up of
representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Revenue
Authority, National Health Insurance Authority, Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, World Health
Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Ghana Chamber of Pharmacy,
Community Practice Pharmacists Association, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana and
Christian Health Association of Ghana were assembled for this task.
The output of the committee’s deliberations, among a number of recommendations for the reform of
pricing in the pharmaceutical sector, is this price review document to be implemented by the National
Health Insurance Authority effective 1st July 2018.
The Unit of Pricing column provides information on the basis of the price quoted in the Price
column. Examples of the units of pricing are tablet, capsule, suppository, pessary, vial, ampoule, weight
(for creams, ointments, granules etc), and volume (for liquids). It is important that prescribers indicate
the quantity of medicines to be supplied on the prescription. This is a normal requirement for
prescribing and will be very helpful in claims processing for reimbursement.
A prescription for two (2) Paracetamol Tablets, 500mg to be taken three times a day for 3 days must
indicate the quantity to be supplied as 18 (6 tablets a day for 3 days). Thus, the reimbursed amount will
be the price of one tablet of Paracetamol (0.04 Ghana Cedis) multiplied by 18, which is 18 x 0.04 Cedis
= 0.72 Ghana Cedis. This basic principle can be applied to all the medicines. Be aware that for those
In calculating the cost of medicines supplied, particular attention should be paid to the unit of pricing.
Where a unit of pricing is stated as a course by volume, the price indicated is for the whole course, not
per tablet or ml. For example for AMOARTTA1, the GH¢ 2.45 price quoted below is for the one full
Course of six tablets, not per tablet.
The code generated for each medicine item was limited to a fixed length of NINE alphanumeric
characters. A system of classification based on the first six characters of the generic name of the
medicine (with variations), formulation (which is the next two characters) and strength being the last
character, was designed to provide each medicine on the NHIS Medicines List a unique identity. Where
there is more than one strength of the same formulation, the medicine’s code was arranged
numerically in ascending order of strength. In designing the codes, consideration was also given to the
practicality of filling forms within diverse health institutions (public and private); with different staff
strengths and capabilities.
For example, the code for Albendazole Tablet, 200 mg would be ALBENDTA1, with ALBEND from
its generic name, TA- indicating that it is tablet and 1 as the lower strength; as opposed to 2 for the
400 mg which is a higher strength.
Exceptions to the ‘First 6 character’ rule apply when the generic name of the medicine is made up of
two or more words. Thus where the generic name has two words, the first three characters of each
word are joined to form the first six characters of the code.
On the other hand, where the generic name has three words the first two characters of each word are
joined for the first six letters. An example is Magnesium Trisilicate + Aluminium Hydroxide Mixture
with code MATRALMI1.
The two character designation for the dosage forms are given in Table 1.
CR - CREAM OI - OINTMENT
*Note that where two words describe the dosage form the initials are used. In this case, Eye Drop is
coded ID to distinguish it from Ear Drops which is ED.
• the first six characters of a medicine name and the dosage form are identical
Level A – Community- based Health Planning and Services (CHPS; the lowest level)
Level M – Midwifery
As indicated in the EML 2017, Specialist Drugs are restricted for use by qualified specialists who may
request for them.
With these categories a medicine assigned a level B2 can only be prescribed by prescribers at B2 level
facilities and above, i.e. at a health centre with a doctor, district, regional, and teaching hospitals. For
example:
The level of prescribing for Midazolam Tablet, 15mg is B2 which indicates that it can be prescribed only
at a health centre with a doctor, district, regional, and teaching hospitals. This means that prescribers’
at community, midwifery and health centres without a doctor cannot prescribe Midazolam Tablet
15mg.
• conformity with Ghanaian laws including the Health Professions Regulatory Act, 2013 (Act 857)
• written legibly in ink or otherwise so as to be indelible
• written by the prescriber and not left for another person to complete
• should be dated
• the full name and address of the patient should be stated
• the age and weight (in the case of children) of the patient being treated should be specified
• the diagnosis being treated should be stated
Dosage form, generic name of medication, strength, dose and dosage schedule
Exact quantity of medication to be supplied
the signature of the prescriber (which should be in ink)
that the prescription is legally valid, genuine and has not been altered after issuing
that the items on the prescription can be prescribed under the NHIS i.e. they are on the NHIS
Medicines List
Each medicine on the prescription contain the dosage form, generic name, strength, dose,
dosage schedule and quantity of medication to be supplied
the prescription is assessed for validity, safety and clinical appropriateness.
the dosage form and route of administration are appropriate according to the patient’s gender,
age and clinical condition.
8.0 Labelling
Each dispensed medication should be appropriately packaged and adequately labelled with the
following minimum information:
• Duration of use
• Date of dispensing