Hamilton Pharmacy yesterday said that the only diabetic patients they were helping with supplies were those who received free medication from TB Cancer and Health Association and all pharmacies on the Island were able to supply medication to diabetics who had medical insurance.

This follows an article in yesterday where Health Minister Patrice Minors said all diabetics who used to get their supplies from the TB Cancer and Health Association could go to Hamilton Pharmacy for supplies at a reduced rate and that the Ministry was engaged in discussions with other pharmacies to offer the same service.

Hilary Evans-Turner of Hamilton Pharmacy said there were 70 diabetics in Bermuda without medical insurance who received their medication and supplies free from TB Cancer and Health.

She said this group had their medication paid for by the Diabetes Association and all Hamilton Pharmacy had done was set up an account with the Diabetes Association to continue offering the service.

This follows the closure of the pharmacy at TB Cancer and Health after the pharmacist retired. The co-ordinator of the Diabetes Centre at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Debbie Jones, said as soon as TB Cancer and Health pharmacy announced it was closing, the Diabetes Association contacted Mrs. Evans-Turner.

?We had worked with her in the past and felt something needed to be done immediately,? she said.

As for patients who do not receive their medication free, Ms Jones said it was important for them, especially the elderly, to notify their pharmacist if they were having financial difficulty.

?Many of our seniors get a prescription for high blood pressure pills or diabetic medication and just never fill it because they can?t afford it,? she said.

She added that the Diabetes Association, working in conjunction with other organisations on the Island, were trying to determine how serious this problem was in order to lobby Government to take action.

Ms Jones said the diabetics who received their medication free had to get a prescription from their doctor, a letter from either the Diabetes Centre at the hospital or TB Cancer and Health before going to Hamilton Pharmacy for supplies.

Pharmacies are looking at setting up the same system to help these 70 diabetics with their supplies, but all local pharmacies stock diabetic supplies and always have.

Meanwhile TB Cancer and Health is advertising for another pharmacist, but according to Mrs. Evans-Turner it could take up to six months to fill the position. According to the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association, there is a severe shortage of pharmacists throughout the US, Canada and UK.