Port of Spain, November 28, 2025- The Ministry of Health in Trinidad and Tobago, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), convened a two-day workshop to initiate the review of Trinidad and Tobago’s National Essential Medicines List (NEML), a cornerstone of universal health coverage and equitable access to care.
The NEML is a critical tool that guides procurement, informs clinical practice, and supports the rational use of medicines. Updating the list ensures alignment with WHO recommendations, local epidemiological trends, and cost-effectiveness principles, while addressing pressing health needs such as noncommunicable diseases, mental health, and oncology. Medicines account for a significant share of health expenditure and out-of-pocket costs; therefore, a well-structured NEML is vital for cost containment and improved access.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Regional Health Authorities, clinicians, pharmacists, and PAHO/WHO technical experts. The sessions featured presentations on selection criteria and decision frameworks, governance and ethics for the selection committee, and practical exercises on evidence synthesis and candidate medicine review.
The workshop was highly interactive, with participants actively engaging in group exercises, evidence synthesis, decision-making discussions, and planning for the consultations moving forward. This collaborative approach ensured that diverse perspectives were reflected in the recommendations.
Expert facilitation was central to the success of this workshop. Ms. Tatiana Orjuela, International PAHO Consultant for Innovation Access to Medicines and Health Technologies (Washington, D.C.), led technical discussions alongside Dr. Gustavo Marin and Mr. Cristian Dorati from the University Center for Pharmacology (CUFAR), Argentina, a long-standing WHO Collaborating Centre renowned for its expertise in promoting the rational use of medicines.
From the PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office, Dr. Shellon Bovell, Advisor for Health Systems and Services and Ms. Anessa Siboo, Principal Pharmacist, MOH served as the focal points for the project, ensuring alignment with WHO standards and local priorities.
The opening ceremony included remarks by Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Caribbean Islands, and a feature address by The Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health, underscoring the importance of this initiative. The Honourable Dr. Rishad Seecheran, Minister in the Ministry of Health, was also present, demonstrating strong ministerial support for the process.
The review process is expected to deliver an updated NEML that reflects WHO guidance and the specific health needs of Trinidad and Tobago. This will involve prioritizing, adding, retaining, and delisting medicines based on evidence and national priorities. In addition, concise evidence summaries will be prepared to support transparent decision-making, and recommendations will be developed to strengthen procurement systems and supply chain management. Together, these outcomes will ensure that essential medicines are accessible, affordable, and used rationally across all levels of care.
Following the workshop, specialist groups continue the consultation process. The finalized NEML will reinforce initiatives such as the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) and advance Trinidad and Tobago’s progress toward universal health coverage.
PAHO/WHO remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in this critical process, ensuring that the decisions made today translate into better health outcomes for all.
