The Social Security Act Reform : medicines entitlement

Abstract

On the 27th of March 2012, legislative changes were made to the Social Security Act Cap 318 Article 23 and the Fifth Schedule of the same Act.1 The change resulted in an increase in the number of listed Schedule V conditions, from 38 to 79. The new conditions include cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease, psychiatric disorders starting in childhood, chronic mood disorders, Down’s Syndrome, and diabetes mellitus Type 1 and Type 2. Any patient suffering from a chronic condition which is listed under the second part of the Fifth Schedule of the Social Security Act is entitled to free medication for that specific disease and entitlement is based solely upon the presence of disease irrespective of means, income or age.