Government pursuing restoration of outpatient pharmacy services at Ba and Lautoka hospitals amid ongoing talks with Aspen Medical and Health Care Fiji
The government is in active negotiations to fully restore outpatient pharmacy services at Lautoka and Ba Hospitals after Aspen Medical halted the service, forcing patients to collect medicines from nearby health centers or private pharmacies.
Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa said the transition is a period of adjustment, with steps being taken to boost medicine stock and access at Kamikamica Hospital and at Punjas and Vitogo Health Centres to ease the burden on patients. He noted that outpatient pharmacy services were not part of Aspen’s original concession, which complicates funding and delivery during the transition.
“It is a time of transition, and we are beefing up the quantity and availability of medicine at Kamikamica Hospital, Punjas, and Vitogo Health Centres. I know it is a bit of a hassle for patients to go to the hospital and then collect their free medicine from these outlets,” Ravunawa said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad said Aspen acted without adequate notice, despite the Health Ministry requesting more time for a smooth transition. He explained that Aspen had been providing basic medicines to outpatients and charging the government, and that the agreement is still under negotiation. The government intends to restore these services while ensuring costs are managed to protect taxpayers.
The discussions have centered on aligning the arrangement with the concession terms and exploring how outpatient medicines will be dispensed going forward. In parallel, government officials and health leaders are considering broader reforms to stabilize medicine supply, expand the Free Medicine Scheme, and maintain access to essential drugs for those who need them.
Context from related developments in Fiji’s health sector shows ongoing debates about whether outpatient medicines should be provided by public dispensaries or through private partners within a framework that includes user-pays options for more complex treatments. Supporters say reforms are needed to improve efficiency and transparency, while critics warn of capacity and access challenges for vulnerable populations.
What this means for patients
– Outpatient medicines will be dispensed through designated public dispensaries and participating private pharmacies under the Free Medicine Scheme, rather than directly from hospital outpatient departments.
– Inpatients will continue to receive medicines and consumables through the hospital, with permanent outpatient dispensaries planned for Lautoka and Ba.
– During the transition, patients should check with the nearest public dispensary or participating pharmacies for outpatient medicines and remain attentive to any rollout announcements.
Analytical note
– The per-patient funding model for health services and the ongoing renegotiation of the PPP with Health Care Fiji (HCF)/Aspen Medical are central to the reform effort. This approach aims to tie government payments to patient activity and case complexity, while keeping hospital-based care free at the point of use.
– The shift raises questions about pharmacy capacity, especially for critical medicines such as insulin and cancer therapies, and underscores the need for careful monitoring of drug supply and access across urban and rural areas.
– Ongoing talks with stakeholders—including health professionals and community representatives—signal a broader push toward a more transparent, sustainable medicine-supply system that preserves access to essential medicines for all Fijians.
Summary
The government is pushing to restore outpatient pharmacy services at Ba and Lautoka hospitals through negotiations with Aspen Medical and Health Care Fiji, while expanding public dispensaries and private-pharmacy access under the Free Medicine Scheme. The move is part of wider health-system reforms intended to secure reliable medicine access, balance budgets, and protect vulnerable patients as Fiji refines its hospital and pharmaceutical delivery model.
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