WILLEMSTAD – Opposition parliamentarian Shaheen Elhage of the Partido Alternativa Real (PAR) has requested an urgent parliamentary question session with Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Tyron Boekhoudt over the compensation pharmacies receive for dispensing prescription medication. Elhage warns that the government's failure to resolve the longstanding tariff dispute could have serious consequences for patients and the continuity of pharmaceutical care in Curaçao.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Elhage criticized the government for continuing to require pharmacies to meet modern healthcare standards while maintaining a compensation system that, according to pharmacy owners, has not been structurally adjusted since 2001.
"How is it possible that the government requires pharmacies to comply with the quality and safety standards of 2026 while they are still receiving a tariff that originated in 2001?" Elhage questioned.
According to information provided by the Association of Pharmacy Owners (VAE), pharmacies receive a dispensing fee of XCG 7 per prescription line. The association maintains that this amount has not undergone a structural adjustment to account for inflation, increasing personnel expenses, and the growing requirements associated with providing pharmaceutical care.
Elhage argues that the situation has become increasingly difficult for pharmacies, which must continue meeting professional and regulatory requirements despite rising operational costs.
The parliamentarian also questioned why a solution has taken so long.
In 2023, an independent investigation into pharmacy compensation was announced. According to PAR, the investigation was expected to take between four and six months. Nearly three years later, however, the party says no structural solution has been implemented.
The situation has become more urgent following actions taken by pharmacies and measures reportedly introduced by the healthcare inspectorate in November 2026.
Elhage believes the combination of financial uncertainty and regulatory pressure could threaten the continuity of pharmaceutical services if the government does not intervene.
To obtain answers, the PAR parliamentarian has submitted ten parliamentary questions addressing several aspects of the compensation dispute.
Among other matters, he wants the minister to clarify the legal basis for the existing dispensing tariff, explain the agreements reached in 2023, and provide information about the role of RAC in the process.
Elhage is also seeking clarification about requirements imposed on pharmacies to submit financial information and the government's responsibility to ensure that patients continue receiving necessary pharmaceutical care.
A central concern is whether pharmacies can reasonably be expected to comply with increasingly demanding healthcare standards without corresponding adjustments to their compensation.
Rather than waiting indefinitely for a final decision, Elhage is urging the government to consider a temporary increase in the dispensing tariff.
He proposes that such an adjustment be supported by a proper legal basis and sufficient financial coverage while an independent investigation determines an appropriate permanent tariff.
The proposal is intended to provide pharmacies with financial relief while allowing the government to complete the process of establishing a sustainable compensation structure.
Elhage emphasized that the dispute should not be viewed solely as a financial disagreement between pharmacy owners and the government. He believes patients could ultimately suffer if the situation remains unresolved.
"Pharmacies must guarantee quality care, but the government must also fulfill its responsibility," Elhage stated.
"Our patients deserve security, our pharmacies deserve a fair tariff, and our people deserve concrete decisions. Enough with promises that produce no results."
The PAR parliamentarian is now demanding that Minister Boekhoudt explain what has prevented a structural solution since 2023 and what immediate steps the government intends to take to address the concerns raised by pharmacy owners.
The press statement did not include a response from the minister or indicate when the requested parliamentary question session would take place.
For PAR, the priority is ensuring that the compensation dispute does not jeopardize access to medication or the quality of pharmaceutical care available to Curaçao's population.