Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe says steps are being taken to address shortages of some medications available under the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP), as well as certain cancer drugs.He emphasised yesterday that the majority of items available under CDAP ­remained accessible to the public.In recent weeks, patients and relatives have again raised concerns about shortages of medication at public health institutions and pharmacies where CDAP drugs are distributed.These included drugs used in the treatment of ­cancer and chronic illnesses.The complaints have renewed questions about the reliability of the pharmaceutical supply chain and the speed at which critical medi­cines are replenished when stocks run low.In response to questions from the Express yesterday, Bodoe said the provision of appropriate medication in adequate quantities remains a high priority for Government.“I have taken note of some complaints in the public domain regarding shortages of medication,” he said by phone.The minister said supply chain and procurement issues were inherited at the Ministry of Health when he took office.“Steady progress is being made in strengthening the process, including better management of the current contractual arrangement with Nipdec,” he said.Bodoe said the regional health authorities also had the authority to address shortages through ad hoc purchases.“Steps are being taken to address those medicines identified as short in supply,” he said.Recurring issuesThe availability and procurement of pharmaceuticals have been recurring issues within the public health system.In May 2024 a parliamentary Public Administration and Appropriations Committee enquiry into the adequacy of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical supplies was told that approximately 526 pharmacies operated in Trinidad and Tobago, but only 231 were authorised to dispense CDAP drugs.At the time, another 46 pharmacies were going through the process of becoming authorised CDAP providers. That enquiry also heard concerns about the supply and management of medication.Bodoe, who was then an opposition MP and member of the committee, raised complaints from pharmacy owners that some CDAP drugs were being received close to their expiry dates. Nipdec officials said at the time that the benchmark was for drugs to have at least 18 months remaining before expiration.In July 2025, Bodoe—after becoming Health Minister—announced that a review of CDAP had been completed and recommendations were being considered by Cabinet.The proposed changes included expanding the programme by adding medication and reducing costs faced by participating pharmacies.Concerns about pharmaceutical procurement and wastage have intensified.In December 2025, Bodoe said approximately $80 million in medication had expired over a ten-year period, prompting Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to request a report from Nipdec on the storage of pharmaceuticals.The Government also indicated it wanted to increase the number of pharmaceutical importers and suppliers, in an effort to improve competition and reduce drug prices.