The responsibilities include:

Procurement of all drugs and non-pharmaceutical medical supplies – via an annual open tender process.
Storage – to embrace proper inventory management practices.
Distribution – to all public healthcare institutions in Trinidad and Tobago.

Over the years, the Pharmaceutical Division pioneered a system of electronic tendering to improve on the efficiency of the already established NIPDEC tendering process. This allowed for greater ease in the compilation and submission of bids by suppliers, and the manipulation and dissemination of the data by in-house personnel. NIPDEC is now pleased to introduce this Internet resource to further enhance the management practices of the Pharmaceutical Division. Generally, purchasing is conducted via an annual tender process.

Invitation to tender is extended from May 1st and closes:
Pharmaceuticals - after three (3) weeks, and
Non-Pharmaceuticals - after five (5) weeks

Only Registered Suppliers are eligible to participate in the Tender exercise.

	C-DAP Expansion

The Chronic Disease Assistance Program (C-DAP) was first launched in February 2003 as a means of suppling certain medications used to treat Diabetes, Hypertension, Glaucoma some Cardiac diseases to persons over the age of 65 years and receipt of government grants. The pilot stages of the program was successfully implemented through the participation of private pharmacies which served as the distribution points. By June 2003 the program was expanded to include all senior citizens over the age of 60years.

In March 2004 CDAP has been further expanded to children under the age of 18 years. Asthma, Depression, Arthritis and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) has been added to the list of chronic diseases.

As was envisioned:-
C-DAP has since been extended to include all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, regardless of age, since November 2004. 

Click here for more information.