The WHO estimates that one-third of the world's population lacks access to essential drugs. Regrettably, a significant portion of pharmaceutical expenditures in developing countries is wasted due to inefficiencies associated with the management of drug supplies, including inappropriate drug selection, procurement and rational use. This wastage can be minimized, in part, by improving the performance of pharmaceutical supply chains, including management information systems, inventory control, stock management, and distribution. Drawing upon the experiences of the MSH RPM Plus and JSI DELIVER projects, the authors have compiled a list of best practices and lessons learned regarding the performance measurement of drug supply management. Best practices include the collection of standardized measurements, use of indicator-based assessments, integration of drug supply monitoring into existing supervisory systems, and enabling the improvement of local capacity to monitor the performance of pharmaceutical systems. Lessons learned include the importance of reliable data for rational pharmaceutical policy, management and decision-making, and the need for resources to generate and use data effectively. Data required to evaluate pharmaceutical management have been integrated into TB drug assessment tools, drug management for childhood illness assessment methodology, and logistics indicators which have been used to improve health systems in a number of countries including Bolivia, Jordan, Guatemala and Kenya.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants should be able to: 1. Identify at least five essential data items required to evaluate the performance of health commodity supply chains in developing countries 2. Discuss strengths and weaknesses of existing indicators that measure the impact of public sector health commodity supply chains on drug availability and contraceptive security 3. Describe two elements of effective supply chain monitoring and supervision
Keywords: Drugs, Access to Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: DELIVER /John Snow, Inc.
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.