The Bahamas National Drug Agency (BNDA) was formed in 1994, under the Ministry of Health, in order to streamline purchasing of medicines for public sector health facilities. After the formation of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), the BNDA resumed its functioning under the administrative oversight of the PHA as a ‘shared service’ unit. This means that while the PHA has responsibility for the BNDA, the Agency provides services for all public sector pharmacies. Under the PHA, the scope of the BNDA’s functions also expanded to include:

1. Supply management of pharmaceuticals & associated supplies, inclusive of tendering exercises;
2. Development of policy and processes related to pharmacy management & pharmaceutical care;
3. Collaboration with institutional Pharmacy & Therapeutic committees;
4. Provision of training in various areas of pharmacy practice & supply management;
5. Processing of national (public & private) narcotic medication records; and
6. Provision of technical advice to the PHA relating to pharmacy matters.

The staff of twenty-four (24) professionals, ranging from administrators, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, supply officers and support personnel. It works directly with all PHA and public health pharmacies, and has indirect interaction with various government health programs, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS unit, and the Disease Surveillance unit. It also provides technical assistance to the Customs Department and the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force when necessary. Under this new Strategy, the B+BNDA will be strengthened.

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) was formed in December, 2000 under the Financial Intelligence Unit Act, 2000.  This Act outlines the functions and powers of the agency.  The FIU is the national centre responsible for receiving, analyzing, obtaining, and disseminating information which relates to the proceeds of crime offences under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Terrorism Acts of The Bahamas.  The FIU is also the body responsible for co-operation between FIU’s in other countries.  In June 2001, the FIU became the 54^th member of Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.   Mr. Reuben S. Smith Q.P.M, RVM who heads the FIU was appointed Director in June 2013. 

Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) are one of the main weapons in the fight against money laundering and other financial crimes that the Royal Bahamas Police Force uses to initiate money laundering investigations.  According to the most recent figures, the FIU received a total of 297 STRs in 2015 from financial institutions in The Bahamas, inclusive of company service providers, credit unions, domestic banks, offshore banks, attorney-at-law, trust companies, stock brokers, fund managers and real estate agents for analysis.  The 297 STRs received in 2015 represented a 44.87% increase in STRs received over the same period in 2014.  A total of 21 STRs were subsequently forwarded by the FIU to the Commissioner of Police for investigation.

During the same period, a number of requests for assistance with financial investigations were received from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, as well as from foreign financial intelligence units. The FIU provided invaluable assistance to these agencies in the continuous fight against criminal conduct, inclusive of money laundering and terrorist financing.

Vision Statement

To be the pre-eminent law chambers of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Mission Statement

To promote justice in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas through the delivery of comprehensive and efficient legal services to the government.

Areas of Responsibility

The Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Attorney General is primarily responsible for:

• providing timely legal advice to the government and statutory bodies.
• providing the most efficient and effective legal representation for the government in national and international matters.
• drafting legislation.
• promoting access to justice for all and transparency in the legal system.