By Lindsay Thompson

Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas -The system for the implementation of the Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act, 2024 was officially introduced locally and internationally on April 28, 2025.

The Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville foreshadowed the move at the 2025 HEALinc Future Innovation Summit opening ceremony on Sunday, April 27, at Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

Referred to as LAR-TA, it is an on-line portal and digital platform designed to ensure that all approved longevity and regenerative therapies acceptable to patients in The Bahamas are properly vetted for safety and scientific merit, and that these therapies are delivered within a closely monitored ethical framework.

“The LAR-TA system has been developed to ensure that patients are properly consented, that the studies and therapies are ethically approved, meaning they have Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval that follow-up data from patients receiving cutting-edge therapies are properly tracked and regularly reviewed for safety and efficacy,” said Dr. Darville.

The new Act also establishes a Longevity and Regenerative Therapy Board that will encourage medical tourism, as well as the advancement of translational medicine locally and globally.

The board will develop the framework to attract top-tier bio-tech companies that will create jobs and other economic benefits and will ensure that stem cell therapies, gene therapies and other promising regenerative therapies accessible in The Bahamas are approved and properly monitored.

The 2025 HEALinc Global Summit ran April 27-29 under the theme: “New Opportunities in Healthy Longevity and Regenerative Medicine”.

The Summit opened with the “big picture” idea of embracing more connected perspectives on the restoration of “whole-person” health and life enhancement.

It featured more than 30 speakers who discussed topics such as precision medicine, gene therapy, and health longevity. It also explored the intersection of advanced longevity, regenerative medicine, and technology focusing on the mind-soul-spirit consciousness.

This unique convergence also highlighted the innovations and insights necessary to restore and sustain whole-person health, bridging science and spirituality to redefine the future of well-being.

The summit unites world leading scientists, innovators, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and medical professionals with a mission to empower individuals in health management and future shaping.

HEALinc, challenges norms, fostering innovative methods and connecting patients with resources for enhanced quality of life. Its focus is on safe, efficient solutions for longevity and regeneration.

Dr. Darville thanked Bahamian Dr. Desirée Cox, CEO and Founder of  HEALinc and her team for organizing and bringing together industry leaders and scientists to the Fifth Annual HEALinc Global Summit in paradise.

“Your work embraces the spirit of collaboration and continues to reshape our understanding of ageing, wellness and recovery,” he said.

Turks and Caicos, May 9, 2025 – In a significant step toward strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), the Ministry of Health and Human Services officially commissioned two new ambulances, donated through a partnership with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

During the commissioning ceremony, Health and Human Services Minister Hon. Kyle Knowles highlighted the donation as a milestone in improving emergency medical response and public health systems across the territory. He emphasized that such collaborative efforts represent a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of both residents and visitors.

“This milestone reflects not only our dedication to improving emergency medical response and public health infrastructure, but also the power of strong, strategic partnerships in achieving meaningful progress,” Minister Knowles said.

He further underscored the importance of collaboration in policymaking, noting that inclusive partnerships lead to sustainable, practical solutions. The ongoing alliance with the West Midlands Ambulance Service, he added, is a prime example of how international cooperation can help deliver essential public services in small island nations like TCI.

With these new ambulances, the government aims to significantly enhance emergency response times and ensure reliable care is available when and where it is needed most. The donation is part of broader efforts to improve healthcare delivery and prepare the islands for both everyday medical emergencies and crisis situations.

Residents can now feel even more confident that emergency services in the TCI are evolving to meet the demands of a growing population and tourism industry.

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos Islands, 2^nd May 2025: In response to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alert relating to the identification of hundreds of counterfeit/falsified Ozempic(semaglutide) 1mg injection in the U.S. drug supply chain, the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) wishes to alert all pharmacies, other healthcare providers and consumers to be vigilant when procuring this product from online or instore vendors who source this medicine from the US supply chain.

According to the FDA alert, Novo Nordisk – the genuine manufacturer – issued the initial notification revealing that the counterfeit Ozempic was distributed outside their authorised supply chain in the U.S. Medical products are considered counterfeit/falsified when their identity, composition or source are deliberately or fraudulently misrepresented. Ozempic is used to treat hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) in type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children over 12 years of age. It is also used to treat obesity.

Importantly, Novo Nordisk revealed that the counterfeit product’s label displays the following:

• lot number PAR0362 (which is authentic) and
• an illegitimate serial number starting with the first eight digits 51746517.

Novo Nordisk has indicated that only when both the lot number and the first eight digits 51746517 are used together should the product be considered counterfeit.  Neither Novo Nordisk nor the FDA can confirm the contents or quality of the counterfeit product, which may present a safety risk for patients who use the counterfeit product. Therefore, if used, these counterfeit products may result in the ineffective treatment of patients due to incorrect dosage, contamination with harmful substances, or use of unknown or substituted ingredients. This may pose serious risks – that could be life-threatening – to health because they are administered by subcutaneous injection. Notably, the FDA is aware of six adverse event reports linked with this lot, however, none of them appear to be associated with the counterfeit product.

The Minister of Health and Human Services – Hon. Kyle R. Knowles, and the MoHHS’ top priority is to ensure public health safety and so in light of this update are imploring all wholesalers, retail pharmacies and other healthcare professionals to:

1. Examine all Ozempic products received from within the US supply chain.
2. Administer, dispense, distributeor sell the counterfeit Ozempic labelled with lot number PAR0362 and serial number starting with the first eight digits 51746517.
3. Quarantine all remaining stock(s) of the counterfeit pens for possible disposal by the Environmental Health Department (contact: 338-2142).
4. Notify your overseas suppliers for any additional information.

Patients/consumers are encouraged:

1. Not to useany counterfeit Ozempic 1mg injection labelled with lot number PAR0362 and serial number starting with the first eight digits 51746517.
2. To contact their physicians and/or pharmacist if they have any questions or concerns before using any Ozempic 1mg injection.
3. To purchase Ozempic 1mg injection only from authorised pharmacies and not online stores.
4. To report any suspected side effects associated with Ozempic 1mg injection via the MoHHS Adverse Drug Reaction Form found at https://gov.tc/docs/ADR.pdf.

For further information, please contact André Morgan, National Pharmacist at: (649)338-3072 or amorgan@gov.tc.