Finance Minister Eugene Cox last night said that the addition of the $1,000 prescription drug benefit to Government's Health Insurance Programme (HIP) was not pre-empted by the dissolution of Parliament, but would take effect from June 20.

"Government has proposed to have the new benefit take effect from June 1," Mr. Cox said.

"However, as a result of the dissolution of Parliament on June 01, some of the supporting legislative requirements cannot be enacted at this time.

"Therefore the benefit cannot be made retroactive to June 1"Government will push ahead with introducing the new benefit now.

"Changes in premiums will be addressed later in the year.

"This benefit is well overdue and Government did not wish to delay its introduction until the convening of the new Parliament.

"Happily, a change in HIP benefits can be given effect by the publication of an official notice under the hand of the Minister of Finance.

"Government has arranged for the necessary notice to be published on June 20.''