Last updated on May 15, 2026

Get free or subsidised medication

The Barbados Drug Service can lower or remove the cost of some prescription medicines through the Special Benefit Service (SBS). This page explains who can get help, what to bring, and what it costs.

free at government (polyclinic) pharmacies
at a lower cost at private pharmacies that work with the Barbados Drug Service

Who can get help with medicine costs

You can get help if you are a Barbadian citizen or permanent resident, or you are covered by CARICOM free movement.

One of these must also apply:

you need medicine for diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, epilepsy or glaucoma (any age)
you are under 16
you are 65 or over

You will also need:

a prescription from a doctor registered with the Medical Council of Barbados — the doctor can work in the public or private health service
a prescription for a medicine on the Barbados National Drug Formulary

The Barbados National Drug Formulary is the list of medicines covered by the Barbados Drug Service.

Check if your medicine is listed (opens in a new tab)

What if my medicine is not listed?

Ask your doctor:

if there is another listed medicine you can use
if they can ask for special approval

Special approval is only for government pharmacy use.

What to take to the pharmacy

the prescription
original accepted ID for the person the medicine is for

Accepted ID can be:

Barbados National Identification (ID) card
Barbados passport
Barbados driver's licence
child health book, if the medicine is for a child

Photocopies are not accepted.

Find an open pharmacy

What you may pay

Some medicines may still cost money.

At a government pharmacy, there is no fee to prepare your medicine.
At a private pharmacy that works with the Barbados Drug Service, you pay a fee to prepare your medicine. This is called a dispensing fee. The amount depends on the medicine.
At a private pharmacy that is not part of the Barbados Drug Service, you pay the full price.