Drug Supply Managment
Drug Supply Managment
MANAGEMENT
In the Sudanese Medical Corps
A thesis Submitted By
Abd Al-Rahman Mahmoud Gamil
B. Pharm.
2004
1
ﺃﻋﻮﺫ ﺑﺎﷲ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﻄﺎﻥ ﺍﻟﺮﺟﻴﻢ
2
Dedication
To the spirits of Ibrahim Shams al-Deen , Malik al-Agib and their fellows who gave their lives to save the principles . To
3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
4
Abstract
Drug logistics is the science and art of bringing the right drugs at the right places in the right time in appropriate quantities
.The drug supply systems are fields of pharmacy practice that add extra knowledge to the pharmacist different from that
acquired at the college .This necessitates the introduction of pharmacy practice to the pharmaceutical curriculum .In the
field of military services, drugs are more valuable than weapons as diseases are more dangerous than the enemy fires .
The present work had been fulfilled at the Sudanese Medical Corps facilities in the period from 8/2000 to 2/2004, where
continuous crises are common, complaints from the performance of the supply unit, financial obstacles and organizational
instability are common. Lack of drugs at the regional hospitals had persisted even after introducing the health insurance
program; the Takaful, which is a risk-sharing mechanism. Soldiers at the war areas suffer from the lack of drugs as their
drug supplies were sorted to be on the military financial affairs budget in spite of their payment of the monthly premiums
in risk-sharing program.
The objectives of the work are to study the drug supply process, to tackle the problems and to contribute to innovation of
a supply model based on a scientific background. To achieve these objectives the study had focused on the systems of
supply dimensions; policies, planning, organization, selection, procurement, distribution, prescribing and dispensing,
financing and security.
The study had been organized as follows:
Chapter one, the introduction which contains a brief description of the drug supply dimensions, a historical background of
the Sudanese Medical Corps and the pharmaceutical activities of the NFDMS.
Chapter two is the literature review which contains a comprehensive study of fourteen elements of the drug supply. They
are the policies, the drug logistics planning, organizing drug supply, selection of drugs, drug quantification, procurement
of drugs, small scale local production, quality assurance, drug donation, distribution, prescribing, dispensing, drug
financing and managing security for the supply systems.
Chapter three is the objectives of the study.
Chapter four is the methodology.
Chapter five is the results and discussion which tackled the problems on the fourteen elements of the supply systems of
the SMC, discussed and compared with the literature and other similar organizations.
Chapter six includes the conclusion and recommendations on each of the mentioned elements independently.
Chapter seven is the references and annexes.
The subject is concerned with the pharmaceutical practice, management, planning, organizations, financial and military
aspects. This explains the expansion of the study.
The absence of a sound documented policy statement diverse the plans. The policy statement, the clear objectives and
proper planning together with workers will make the NFDMS succeed in achieving the objectives. The performance
improvement was in the duties of Takaful and the military administrative area. This raises an image of duality which
appears and disappears according to persons occupying the key positions. The selection of drugs is based on informal and
non-scientific practices. In the absence of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Higher Committee which is widely
recommended and the existing direct purchases which are due to lack of finance, all sorts of breaches may emerge.
Distribution of drugs is a CMS old style, a pull method of requisition, in monthly and weekly intervals. This pool method
burdened the Central Warehouses. The storage conditions were inappropriate where the temperature exceeds 40C in some
buildings. The stores are manual type and thermometers were not there. The problems of transportation in Lorries for 6-8
days to some areas make the quality of drugs questionable. Those physicians on the housemanship and those under the
National Service are 3-4 folds of the military physicians. This results in difficulties in managing the prescribing. Over
prescribing of vitamins reaches 85% of drugs being prescribed. The total vitamins and haematinics expenditure is greater
than the total expenditure of antimalarials and cardiovascular drugs together. Their expenditure is also greater than the
summation of GIT drugs, ophthalmologic preparations and cardiovascular drugs expenditure.
The dispensing time for the prescription is one minute reflecting the heavy load of work in the day time at the casualties,
referred clinics, pediatrics pharmacies; explain the absence of inventory records. The flow of prescriptions to the
contracted unaffiliated pharmacies provides an outlet for security breaches .The average item price at the unaffiliated
pharmacies is two to three folds of its price at the pharmacies within the system. The total drug expenditure of the drugs
from the contracted pharmacies for the year 2003 is four hundred millions Dinars. This amount is twice the drug
expenditure for the whole army for the year 1999.
The pharmaceutical services in the PAF need to be reorganized. The systems should be rebuilt on scientific basis; more
pharmacists should be enlisted to encourage the changes. Autonomous or semiautonomous organization is recommended
including the production sector, import division, sales, supply and pharmacies activities. It could be financed by the
NFDMS; the contribution of Takaful is appreciated. The war areas could be supplied on cost coverage, Takaful on
contract and market sales on investment basis.
The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Higher Committee is the corner stone in improving performance. Drug availability at
military areas could be enhanced by the establishment of the regional warehouses. Complying with the regulations for
purchases through tenders can lead to affordable prices. Wise selection, accurate quantification and implementing
regulations will save the resources. The practice of work through committees provides transparency, trust in the system
5
and patient confidence.
7
List of Content
8
2.6 Small scale local production 42 2.12.6 User charges 74
2.7 Quality assurance 2.12.7 Donation 74
2.7.1 Obtaining good quality 42 2.12.8 WHO Recommendation 74
2.7.2 Verifying the quality 42 2.12.9 Local financing resources 75
2.7.3 Monitoring the quality 42 2.12.10 Government responsibilities 75
2.7.4 Maintaining quality 42 2.12.11 RDF 75
2.7.5 Substances exhibiting bioavailability 43 2.12.12 Problems facing health insurance programs 76
problems
2.7.6 Substances having instability problems 43 2.12.13 Supply of drugs to health insurance programs 77
2.8 Drug donation 44 2.12.14 Payment 77
2.9 Drug distribution 2.12.15 Prescribing control 78
2.9.1 Objectives 45 2.12.16 Guidelines for management 78
2.9.2 Distribution cycle 45 2.13 Managing security
2.9.3 Types of distribution 45 2.13.1 objectives 82
2.9.4 Designing distribution 47 2.13.2 Types of security breaches 82
hierarchy
2.9.5 Port clearing 48 3 Objectives 86
2.9.6 Stores 48 4 Methodology 87
2.9.7 Procedures and paper flow 52 5 Results and Discussion
2.9.8 Inventory control 54 5.1 Drug policy and planning 91
2.9.9 Managing kit system 59 5.1.2 NFDMS 91
2.10 Drug transportation 62 5.1.3 The SNDP 91
2.11 Rational use of drugs 5.1.4 The JRMS 91
2.11.1 Forms of irrational use 63 5.2 Organization
2.11.2 Impacts of irrational use of drugs 63 5.2.1 The organization of the pharmaceutical 93
services in MC
2.11.3 Sources of irrational use 63 5.2.1.1 Pharmaceutical services in NF 94
2.11.4 Improving prescribing 64 5.2.2.2 Takaful organization structure 94
5.2.2.3 Organization of SMC2003 95 5.5.2 Wafrapharma and the Takaful 121
5.2.2.4 Pharmacists locations 95 5.5.3 Takaful production unit 121
5.2.3.1 RDF KH State organization structure 96 5.6 Quality assurance 122
5.2.3.2 SMS organization structure 96 5.7 Drug donation 122
5.2.3.3 USA Army 98 5.8 Distribution 123
5.2.3.4 The British Army 98 5.8.1 Distribution hierarchy 123
5.2.3.5 Malaysia SPLS 98 5.8.2 Stores 123
5.2.3.6 Arabian Army- JRMS 98 5.8.2.1 Physical structure 123
5.2.3.7 Basis of organizing pharmaceutical 100 5.8.2.2 Storage conditions 125
supply
5.2.4 Assessment 100 5.8.2.3 Staff 125
5.2.4.1 The supply unit 101 5.8.2.4 Receiving problems 125
5.2.4.2 Constraints 101 5.8.2.5 The warehousing procedures 126
5.3 Selection of drugs 102 5.8.3 Distribution network 129
5.3.1 Mechanism of selection 102 5.8.3.1 Capital region 129
5.3.1.1 First tender list1998 102 5.8.3.2 The states 130
5.3.1.2 Tender list 1999 102 5.8.4 Transportation 130
5.3.1.3 Selection of drugs 2003 103 5.8.5 Distribution assessment 131
5.3.2.1 Logic of selection 104 5.8.5.1 Warehouses 131
5.3.2.2 Selection in practice 104 5.8.5.2 Storage conditions 132
9
5.3.2.3 Legal aspects 104 5.8.5.3 Warehousing procedures 133
5.3.2.4 Selection at SMC 104 5.8.5.4 Distribution network 134
5.3.2.5 Selection at JRMS 105 5.8.5.5 Computation 136
5.3.2.6 International recommendation 105 5.8.5.6 Distribution at Malaysia SPLS 136
5.4 Procurement of drugs 106 5.8.5.7 Kit system 136
5.4.1 Procurement at SMC 106 5.9 Prescribing
5.4.1.1 Policy and objectives 106 5.9.1 Prescribers 139
5.4.1.2 Model of supply system 106 5.9.2 Clinics at the centre 139
5.4.1.3 Quantification of drugs 106 5.9.3 In patient prevalence 140
5.4.1.4 Procurement methods 106 5.9.4 Out patient prevalence 140
5.4.2 Procurement assessment 109 5.9.5 Number of items per prescripti 141
5.4.2.1 Policy and objectives 109 5.9.6 Prescribing habits 141
5.4.2.2 Model of supply system 109 5.9.7 Informational resources 141
5.4.2.3 Quantification of drugs 109 5.9.8 Prescription forms 142
5.4.2.4 Procurement methods 110 5.9.9 In patient dosage system 142
5.4.2.5 The tender process 111 5.9.10 Prescribing regulations 142
5.4.2.6 Drug expenditure analysis 113 5.9.11 Assessment 142
5.5.1 Wafrapharma drug plant 121
5.10 Dispensing 145 6 Conclusion and Recommendations
5.10.1 Pharmacies at the Centre 145 6.1 Conclusion 169
5.10.2 Dispensing procedures 147 6.1.1 Organizational and managerial problems 169
5.10.3 Dispensing during battles 149 6.1.2 Financial problems 169
5.10.4 Therapeutic categories investigations 149 6.1.3 Professional practice problems 170
5.10.5 In patient housing according to 149 6.2 Recommendations 172
locations of pharmacies
5.10.6 Distribution of pharmacies 152 6.2.1 Organization 172
5.10.7 The dispensing cycle 153 6.2.2 Selection of drugs 173
5.10.8 Inventory records 153 6.2.3 Procurement 173
5.10.9 Average item price 153 6.2.4 Distribution 174
5.10.10 Therapeutic categories 154 6.2.5 Prescribing 175
5.11 Finance 155 6.2.6 Dispensing 177
5.11.1 Financial resources 155 6.2.7 Finance 177
5.11.2 Organization 156 6.2.8 Security 177
5.11.3 Procedures 156 7 References and Annexes.
5.11.4 Drug expenditure 157 7.1 References 178
5.11.5 Pricing of drugs 157 7.2 Annexes
5.11.6 Auditing procedures 157
5.11.7 Payment 157
5.11.8 Deposits of revenue 159
5.11.9 Deficits in cost coverage 160
5.11.10 Assessment 163
5.12 Security measures 165
10
List of Figures
No Table Page
1 Therapeutic classification of the WHO List of Essential Drugs 26
2 Comparison of Procurement Methods 30
3 Delivery and Collection Systems of Distribution 47
4 Types of medical stores 48
5 Advantage and Disadvantage of the Kit System 60
6 Distribution of The Military Pharmacists 95
7 The Therapeutic Categories of the Tender 1999 102
8 The Therapeutic Categories of the Tender 2003 103
9 Proposed Time Table 112
10 The Therapeutic Categories Expenditure- Tender 2003 117
11 Price Analysis 119
12 Central Outlets supplied weekly 129
13 Peripheral Outlets supplied monthly 129
14 The States Outlets supplied monthly 130
15 Temperature Records 132
16 Drug Frequencies on the Regional Demands 137
17 Prescribers at the Central Region 139
18 Mean of Patient Prevalence at the different clinics 140
19 Locations, Site and Frame work of the Central Pharmacies 146
20 Dispensing time at the Central Pharmacies. 147
21 Dispensing Statistical Investigations 150
22 The Governmental Budget 155
23 The Average monthly payment for the contracted pharmacies. 158
24 The Average monthly payment of the 25% at the Centre. 159
25 The Average monthly payment of the 25% at the States. 160
26 The Percentage of the Deficit in the Cost Coverage 161
27 The Regional Contracted Pharmacies by Military Area. 162
12
List of Charts
13
Abbreviations:
14
MOF : Ministry Of Finance.
MSH : Management Science for Health.
NCS : National Comprehensive Strategy.
NDP : National Drug Policy.
NFDMS : National Fund for Developing the Medical Services.
NGOs : Non-Governmental Organizations.
PAF : People Armed Forces.
PBM : Pharmaceutical Benefits Management
PMO : President Medical Officer.
PTHMC : Pharmacy and Therapeutics Higher Military Committee.
QO : Quantity Ordered.
QTY : Quantity.
RDF : Revolving Drug Fund.
RS : Regional Stores.
SAF : Sudanese Armed Forces.
SD : Sudanese Dinars.
SMO : Senior Medical Officer.
SMC : Sudanese Medical Corps.
SNDP : Sudan National Drug Policy.
SNLED : Sudan National List of Essential Drugs.
SPLA : Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army.
SPLS : State Pharmaceutical Laboratories and Stores.
SS : Safety Stock.
TMHC : Therapeutics Military Higher Committee
TOC : Take On Charge.
UT : Urinary Tract.
VEN : Vital, Essential and Non-essential.
WHO : World Health Organization.
15
Chapter 1
Introduction
16
1. Introduction :
1.1 Drugs improve health:
Diseases, discomfort, disability are often preventable or treatable by pharmaceuticals.Drugs promote
trust in health services.
The credibility of health workers depends on their ability to bring an end to weeks of fever with
treatment by chloroquine, to save dying elders by a course of penicillin or to quiet a crying child by
aspirin. In most developing countries drugs are more valued than the health workers ( Quick-1997).
Irregular drug supply is usually a greater constraint in any health program. Drugs are costly, they
constitute a considerable percentage of health expenditures and thus a sizable percentage in the
country economics. So, cost reduction by improved management is essential.
1.1.1 Substantive supply improvements are feasible: -
Although systemic drug selection requires a little additional funding, skilled and trained staff and
equipment and time; yet it can save substantial amount of money in a short period of time.
Improved procurement practices require minimal material resources to implement, but their efforts
in reducing cost and maintaining continuous supply is quickly felt. Improved distributions may
require additional fuel, vehicles, but they can yield impressive return..
Rational use of drugs, prescribing regulations and therapy prepacking are a justifiable investment.
However, good opportunities are available in rebuilding the supply system to improve supply
performance but the understanding of the supply process and trained personnel remain the common
pitfalls in the process.
1.1.2 The supply process: -
Logistics is the science and art of bringing the right things in the right time to the right place.
Maintaining and transportation of supplies, involve delivering large amounts of supplies schedule to
many people in different areas.
Logistics includes all aspects of processes required to bring drugs from the supplier to the dispenser
and ultimately to the individual patient. These systems require the coordinated efforts of many units
inside and outside the government. When the separate tasks are performed independently and
scattered, costs rise, shortages become a common complain and patients suffer.
1.1.3 The Pharmaceutical Logistics cycle:
The supply cycle starts at the selection stage which is based on the policy and the plan of the
organization. Drugs are selected and quantified according to the specifications and regulations. The
selected list is procured on the basis of the budget acquired. When drugs are received at the stores,
the quality should be assured and stored at appropriate conditions. Then drugs are distributed to the
health facilities where the health provider issue prescriptions to be filled by the dispenser who
reinform the manangerial level on consumption and use of drugs.( Fig. 1)
Feedback
( Fig. 1 ) The Pharmaceutical Logistics cycle .
Selection
information
Items,specifications,
regulations
Quantific
Patients ation
Finance
Logistic
Dispenser Use management Procurement
Logistic
Health Quality
worker assurance
18
Health problems played an important role in the armies movements in the Sudan. While the
Turkish army was moving to Sinnar,1500 soldiers died of infectious diseases, leaders returned back
because of fever and dysentery and even the governvers died of health problems. Turkish army
attacked Mahadi at Gadir when informed that his army was suffering from fever. Osman Digna
conqueredTokur area in an outbreak of diarrhea(Shogair -1903 )
Hospitals were established in Khartoum,Dongla,Sinnar and Barbar during Jaffers Basha of the
Turkish period (1866-1871). (Koko.-1969).
During Mahdia ,the medical services were devoid of the western medical sciences except those
delivered by the Syrian and Egyptian doctors. This period was associated with many epidemics that
had been aggravated by the famine of ( 1889-1306H ). (Koko.-1969).
Cholera appeared in Dimiatt in 1883 and among the moving column in operations along the nile
(Rafie.1966).Nine military field hospitals were established between Aswan and Dongla beside 40beds
hospital at Swakin. Most doctors were Syrians ( Gallwey –1886-1890 ).The moving column medical
services were organized by P.M.O at the Headquarters(Sirdar Staff), issuing instructions directly to
S.M.O.of infantry and S.M.O. of brigades. For each four infantry brigades ( each of 4 battalions)
there was a field hospital staffed by British M.O. as a S.M.O. and 4 native M.Os, one of them was an
apothecary for dispensing and being responsible for the equipment and camels. Dysentrey gaves some
troubles but all diseases were minor as compared with malaria which was prevalent and severe and
seriously hampered the movement of the column. (Gallwey -1886-1890) .
In 1897 there were 4 States :Nouba State –(4 hospitals), Dongla State
(9 hospitals), Barbar State (8 hospitals ), East Sudan State (3 hospitals ).
The annual supply was received from London in bulk ,then repacked and distributed to these stations
in Abbassia .
After Omdurman battle in1898, the conquering army faced struggle with an enemy more dangerous
than fighters, malaria, the cause of which was not understood, and the mosquito had not been proven
to carry the infection, (Gallwey-1889). The total patient admissions were 17988 fever cases, 548
deaths,while only 163 were killed in action.. The field hospital at khur Shambat was transferred to
Omdurman in 25/10/1898 (Gallwey -1889 ).
The first medically qualified doctor arrived in Sudan came with M.Ali Basha on his tour to
Ghessan in the year 1821.Gordon Basha on his first period governing the Equatorial Region was
accompanied with Dr. Edward Sytazer who became Dr. Amin latter on and was nominated as a
governor for Lado. During his second period as a General Governor Gordon appointed
Dr.Zorbakhain as a Health Inspector General. Mahadi on his last letter to Gordon ,told him that,the
apothecary with him could translate that letter.
( Shogair–1903 ).
In 1903 ,colonel Benton established a medical services network, he had been awarded for that
.Nuhur Military Hospital being located near the Blue Nile Bridge ,the south of which were the stables
which became the medical stores in 1918. The hospital became the Ministry of Health later on.Nuhur
Hospital witnessed the battle of the first Sudanese armed revolution where A/fadeel el-Math camped
and was killed (Osman.-1990).
On 17/1/1925 a command was issued for establishment of the Sudan Defense Forces, the
organization of which contain in Paragraph 14 ,the Medical Corps and Animal Carriers(Osman.-
1990).
Sudanese physicians who joined the army to the East (Ethiopia) and to the West (Libya),were
the first nucleus of the Sudanese Medical Corps. The first Leader was appoined by the President 1956
and was positioned in the Ministry of Heath while the Military Hospital was in the military barracks.
Then he was transferred to the Army Headquarters in 10/1956 before the Medical Corps moved to its
final site in 1969.( Medical Corps Ordinance-1994)
The first organizing ordinance of the Sudanese medical corps 1974 was put in work in 1978. Till
that time there were 4 pharmacists and 4 apothecaries .Supply was in complete reliance on the
Medical Stores of MOH, then gradually segregated. The second Ordinance 1994 had not yet being
updated .
The Military Medical Services network, now covers the whole country under the name of the
Sudanese Medical Corps. Lastly named , the Medical Services Directorate.
1.2.2 The Medical Corps Responsibilities (Ordinance 1994 ) :
1.2.2.1 Duties in Peace :
1- Maintaining and providing health to the militaries and their dependants .
2- Maintain high standards level of curative and preventive medicine.
3- Provide medical advice for the higher staff and the headqurter.
4- Regulate the Military Medical Council for the purposes of the medical examination and
assessment of the personnel when required .
19
5- Medical and laboratory researches .
6- Academic provisions .
7- Maintain appropriate drug supply for the army units and the moving troops.
8- Train the medical support personnel of the army units .
9- Qualify the injured for the life activities .
20
Field hospital Sanitary Equipment Dressings and Drugs
Stores Stores Stores Stores
( Fig 3 ) Ordinance 1994 –Organizational structural chart
Higher principle (adminst & personnel)
Deputy
Assistant Assistant Assist. curative Assist Assist
preventive medical medicine & administration operation
medicine supplies hospitals & military and training
Runk
Atpra
Jabait
Jabal Awlia
Medanie Independent medical Regional Hs. Basic Hs.
Wadi Saidana
units
Reserve Military health
Diagnosis clinic
Portsudan Demazin
centers
Veterinary d General military
(1) The ordinance describes the responsibilities of each section, ranking of personnel and
specification. Northern Western Southern Eastern Families hospital
(2) All the statement had beenMedical squadrons
changed due to the war circumstance and rearrangement of the army
units.
1.2.4 Medical BallatonsSites:Fashir Wau Dental hospital
Shendi
Juba, Malakal, Wau, Obied, Mojulad Mojulad, Fashir, Juba
Fao, Demazin,
Fo Shendi, Port
Kosti hospital
Sudan, headquarter reserve standby.
1.2.4.1 Responsibilities: Establishing
Obeid theMalakal
medical squadrons among the
brigades and camps. Injured evacuation from front squadrons to the specialist
squadrons and then to the basic hospital. Health measures for habitat and
environmental sanitation. Medical information and expectations before
movements. Vaccination before, within, and after battles. Distribution of the
health services among the forces. Drug supply, therapy and medicament and
replacating the consumed quantities. Training of militaries on first aid
practice. Reports, and concluded lessons.
1.2.4.2 Supply Division:
The supply division is responsible for the followings:
1. Supplying the division units with drugs, equipment etc.
2. Keeping appropriate stock..
21
3. Storage of drugs at optimum condition.
4. Recording consumption.
5.Replacing the consumed stock..
6. Keeping reserve stock..
7. Practicing these activities in a pharmacy or a warehouse..
8. Supplying the specialist squadron and the medical squadron of the
brigades.The ordinance stated that the medical ballaton headed by physician
brigadier , all the medical department are represented, and the pharmacist
ranked as Leutenant captain. However, this ordinance became out of date due
to the great changes and development made by (NFDMS) and the health
insurance program( Takaful).
1.3 National Fund for Developing the Medical Services (NFDMS) :
No doubt, the NFDMS took the major ,if not all , the role in bringing up the
medical corps to its existing situation .
1.3.1 Establishment of the NFDMS :
In 1992 when the war operations were at the maximum , the Higher National Committee for
Rehabilitation and Development of the Military Medical Services was nominated after a detailed
comprehensive proposal. Thirty five millions Dollars was the estimated budget.The National Council adopt
the project.A successful donation week was organized. On 27/4/1993 the President issued a higher
command instructing the Minster of Finance to add the injured stamp, (Taxis), in different percentages to
invoices of some items.This provides adequate financial resource. The act of 1996 commissioned by the
National Council gave the NFDMS together with the political support , a good opportunities for success .
(4) CT scan – (within the Taheel Building) for diagnostic purpose for all.
(5) MRI – (Omdurman) cost coverage system for all.
(6) Renal diseases: clearance, medicine and surgery.
23
Chapter 2
Literature Review
44
2.1 Drug policies
Documentation and outlining the efforts and activities to attain the specified goals and objectives stated to adhere drug
availability, affordability efficiency and rational use. Drug policies usually formulated at the higher level of the nation
involving all sectors of the population initiated by a governmental will and the mission statement formulated appropriately
legislated.( Dinius -1988).
2.1.1 Contents:
NDP may outline the followings:
1) Registration and number of drugs.
2) Selection of drugs.
3) Cost calculations and pricing.
4) Production.
5) Quality assurance and laboratories.
6) Supply.
7) Storage and distribution.
8) Rational use of drugs.
9) Traditional medicine.
10) Cost coverage and financing.
11) Human resources, training and research..
12) Monitoring and evaluation.
Storage and distribution as elsewhere in the pharmaceutical supply system, the professional skills pharmacist are vital.
. Particular emphasis should be placed on training in pharmacy, drug management and clinical pharmacology (Dinius -1988).
Operational researches aimed at improving selection, procurement, distribution and use of drugs, help in the sustainability of
the policy. The NDP advise the role of self-medication and OTC drugs and define the prescription, its content and validity and
patient cards. NDP should be flexible for future changes.
2.1.2 Designing NDP:
The ministry of health is the initiator of the process. The committees are as follows:
MOH (Initiator)
45
11. Establishment of pharmacy laboratories.
12. Studies in rational use of drugs.
13. Quality control laboratory.
14. Raw material production.
15. Medicinal plants agriculture.
16. Updating the pharmacy act.
17. Availability of equipment.
In the concept of NCS, the last renewed SNP- endorsed in 5/1997, printed and presented in a booklet, objectives of
which are:
(1) Make available the needs of the population of safe, good quality, and effective essential drugs in sufficient quantities at the
least possible cost.
(2) The rational use of drugs.
(3) Protect the population from the use of unsafe and low quality drugs.
For comparison, Philippines national drug policy aimed to drug production, procurement and rational use and gave a
list of generics (1988 Act). The Australian NDP involved the population towards rational use of drugs similar to that of the
U.K that had been in work since 1968. The drug policy is the guide and measure for the pharmaceutical sector performance.(
Quick-1997)
2.2 Planning:
Planning is an essential key factor for any program to succeed. It results not only in a plan but it achieves the followings:
1- Highlighting the long term goals.
2- Facing the situation problems and needs.
3- Optimizing the use of available resources.
4- In the presence of a plan additional resources could be secured .
5- Provides a reference for evaluation.
6- Leads to respectful administration prestige.
7- Identifies the boundaries of the components.
2.2.1 Levels of planning:
Fig (4) Planning levels and responsibilities
long term
planning.
Mission and
Strategi program direction
Senior staff National policies.
c
Intermediate staff Program 1. Medium term planning
Planning 2. focusing on goal and
objectives.
Working Work planning 3. segregation of
activities and
responsibilities by units.
4. usually time and
2.2.2 Planning questions?
budget tied.
short term planning.
- Where are we now? Where doIndividuals
we want to go? How will we get there? How will we
know that we got there?( MSH-2003)
responsibilities and task.
2.2.3 Developing a pharmaceutical supplySpecific
strategicactivities
plan: specific
1- Define the guiding framework
budget.through joint efforts of policymakers and senior staff.
2- Stating the mission; defining the main goals: The mission statement for the Church Sponsor Essential Drug Supply
Service in East Africa aims at providing the church health units throughout Kenya with a reliable source of essential drugs
and supplies, of proven quality at affordable cost, combined with appropriate training in clinical diagnosis and rational use
of these drugs.(WHO-1995).
3- Assessment of the systems situation and resources; describing the opportunities of the selection of drug, procurement,
distribution and use, describe the organization charts and resources.
4- Establish specific goals to achieve the mission and objectives to fulfill the goals (Dinius 1988).
(Fig 5)General plan for pharmaceutical supply system
General
mission Ensure the availability of drugs, rational use at affordable prices
statement
46
General
5- Setting the priorities: may be done by any method but generally according the cost and impacts.
6- Selection of the specific strategy: the general criteria for selection are, the potential impact, which is expressed in
financial benefits, financial feasibility, political feasibility, technical feasibility and cost effectiveness.
7- Formulation of the strategies into action plan, finally the official endorsement. Then the plan should be evaluated and
adjusted in the implementation processes. Assessment could be expressed by the extent of adherence to objectives.
2.2.4 Implementing a plan: It is the responsibility of the higher managerial levels, which are interested in its success. The
manpower utilized should be trained and enough funds should be available. The political, technical and social constraints
should be solved. Suitable organization structure is essential, flexible technical approaches should be used; managerial and
professional activities should be directed towards the targets. A timetable describing the activity, initiation date and date of
commencement is a practical method for implementing the plan. The budget should be in details and accessible.
2.2.4.1 General Reasons for success in implementing a plan:
1. Reality of the plan, not hopes and wishes.
2. Considering commitments.
3. Reactivating those who were aimed to implement the plan.
4. Considerable support.
5. A plan for the right, genuine and true reasons.
6. Accessibility of enough funds.
7. Trained and expert personnel and key personnel.
8. Formulating the plan within the right level of planning.
9. Simple plans and wisely presented.
10. Follow up, monitoring, evaluation and adjustment regularly.
11. Overcome the self-interest of reluctant.
2.3 Organization:
2.3.1 definition:
Organization could be defined as the association of personnel efforts to achieve a certain established goals. (Money -1939).
47
3-Principle of unity of command: for every subordinate there should be one superior.
4-Principle of parity of responsibility and authority: the responsibility to achieve certain targets, there should be the authority to
achieve it.
5-The principle of the span of control: the wider the span of control, the lower the control output.
6-The principle of short chain of command: efficiency and effectiveness of the organization increases on decreasing the chain
of command.
7-The principle of delegation of authority: increase on delegation, increases the efficiency of the organization.
8-The principle of flexibility: to face different variables without the need for basic changes and to facilitate achievement of
goals.
9-The principle of efficiency: efficient organization achieves its goals with the least possible expenditure.
10-Principle of human resources: training and development of human resources increases the productivity of organization.
11-Administrative efficiency increases by grouping workers according to purpose, place, and client. (Simon-1957)
2.3.3 Coordination: it contains all organization principles. It is the orderly arrangement of group of efforts to provide united
action in a pursuit of a common purpose. (Moony-1939) the supreme coordinating power was known to be organized
effectively in the armies.
2.3.4 Aggregation and segregation of activities: (Asfour -1992)
1. purpose 2. Process 3. Place 4. Person (client) according to the 4 Ps
productivity and efficiency is directly proportional to the degree of speciality. Speciality
diminishes expenditure and ease the control. Priorities could be distinguished coordination
increases and objectives could be clear. The attitude of members, training of staff, use of
technology and expert in special activity, all could be enhanced. The proper man in a
proper post. It is possible to find more than one qualified expert person in a particular
activity, but no one person expert in more than one activity. (El Hawari-1977). Specialist
is an individual whose type of capacity is very much determined by training in a particular
field of knowledge and discipline. Whenever the activity is essential and important it is
better to be segregated from the other units and to be placed in a short chain of command,
the higher the managerial level,is the more essential activity (Asfour-1992).
2.3.5 Types of organization:
Typologies according to profitable and non-profitable oriented categories contain
dimension that overlap in non-predictable ways. Attempts to activities were appreciated .
1- Structural activities
2. Formalization of procedures.
3. Specialization.
4. Centralization of authority.
5. The line control of the work flow. ( Hall-1987)
In all aspects of organization; specialty is the dominant factor.
2.3.6 Function: Function is the basic unit of organization, every function should receive
instructions from one superior. Any kind of duality, rings the bell of danger and you
should consult the upper level in the organization (El- Hawari-1977).
2.3.6.1 Job description statement: it describes the followings:
1. Task and duties
2. Limits of authority
3. Coordinating factors.
4. Direct superior.
5. Functions and relation.
6. Responsibilities.
A linear responsibility chart could be issued for the whole organization.
2.3.7 Principles of management: 14 principles could be applied in all kinds of
management being political, industrial or military (El-Hawari-1977).
48
1) Division of work and labor.
2) Authority and responsibility.
3) Discipline.
4) Unity of command.
5) Unity of direction and aim.
6) Subordination of individual interest.
7) Incentives.
8) Centralization of authority, determination at the center.
9) Chain of authority .
10) Orderly arranged position.
11) Justice and equity.
12) Stability of workers (functional stability)
13) Initiation.
14) Team work spirit.
2.3.8 Organizing a drug supply:
2.3.8.1 Types of drugs supply organizations:
1-Fully Public: the government, supplying governmental health facilities.
2-Private sector: supplying governmental health facilities.
3-Social health insurance: pharmacy or patient reimbursement of a list of drug expenditure.
4- Private sector financing the governmental supply- (socialist economics).
5- Whole sale monopoly governmental agent supplying all facilities including the private sector.
6- Fully private financing and supplying (private pharmacies).
2.3.8.2 General constraints influencing governmental drug supply:
1- Insufficient service resulting from lack of individual incentives for good
performance.
2- Bureaucracy, inflexibility and over employment.
3- Group interest pressures, political pressures and inefficient use of public resources.
4- Manipulation of supplies activities to self-interest.
5- Insufficient resources is the most common frustrating factor.
6- Stock out, shortages, expiries are the common features of governmental drug supply. (Quick-1997)
2.3.8.3 leaving drug supply to the market results in:
1) Inequity: drugs may be unaffordable to those who needed them.
2) Lack of information needed by the patient and the health professionals.
3) Lacks of potential commentator in putting down the prices.
4) Preventive medicine and vaccination and public medicine will not find the required efforts.
2.3.8.4 Basic approaches for organizing drug supply:
(1) Central medical supplies.
(2) Autonomous or semiautonomous supply system.
(3) Direct delivery system.
(4) Prime- vendor system.
(5) Fully private system.
(6) Mixed systems.
2.3.8.4.1 Central Medical Supply:
Drugs are selected, procured, financed and distributed by a central governmental unit. The
system had been adapted to RDF system. Problems related with this model:
1. Inadequate financial resources.
2. Procurement constraints arising from the central treasury payment cycle and release of funds.
3. Transport difficulties due to lack of vehicles.
4. Political and administrative interference.
5. Ill-performance and lack of incentives.
2.3.8.4.2 Autonomous supply agency:
To overcome the constraints of CMS model in bulk procurement, quality assurance, storage, distribution and enough
financial resources and management in one hand and the governmental feature in the other hand, an autonomous or
semiautonomous agency is considered being either independent with a board of directors or under the government supervision,
it operates as a non- profit supplying a selected list of drugs.
49
Principles of autonomous or semiautonomous supply agency:
1. Achieving the efficiency and flexibility of the private sector.
2. Maintaining sufficient public sector supervision.(Quick-1997)
Difficulties arise only in inserting staff that are not professional.
2.3.8.4.3 Direct delivery system:
A central procurement office establishes the prices, but the supplier delivers drugs directly to the regions or health facilities.
Financing may be regionally or centrally. Problems related to this model are, security, ordering, receiving and payment. Costs
may increase due to transportation and ill managed peripheral facilities.
2.3.8.4.4 The Prime- vendor system:
Drugs are procured centrally by contracting suppliers then another contract for distribution and storage on a mark-up
of 1-5%. Competition may lower the margin.
2.3.8.4.5 Fully private system:
The government leaves the supply for the market.
2.3.9 Models of management:
A-Centralized model: Central logistic unit, responsible for the selection,
procurement and distribution. The individual health facilities depend upon this unit
in their storage, dispensing and use by the patient and for overseeing and
supervision.
Advantage :
1) Economics resulting from quality discount.
2) Staff specialization.
3) Increased opportunities of efficient storage for large quantities.
Disadvantage:
1. Good communications and transportation must be available.
2. Slowly respond to new special needs.
B-Decentralized model: Each State or even each health facility performs the supply
activities individually.
Advantage:
1) Less chance for confusion. The needs are defined locally and purchased locally.
2) Rapid in action.
Disadvantage:
1) No specialty in a specific logistics function.
2) High operation cost. Less bulk purchasing.
3) Duplication of activities in different individual unit.
4) Monitoring of activities as a whole might be more difficult.
5) Problems are diffused and might be difficult to focus on.
C-Directorate model: A central coordinate division of logistic unit, maintaining the
selection and procurement centrally managed, while distribution and control of use
are managed peripherally.
2.3.10 Principles of management:
a) Senior staff should have sufficient status.
b) Keep close to the top governmental level, direct link and communication.
c) A manual handbook clarifying the responsibilities and procedures is essential.
d) Responsibilities should be in parity with authority and sufficient resources.
e) Relations with the private sector should be kept fruitful.
f) Well designed information systems are necessary.
2.3.11 Functions of the information system:
1. Information in drug consumption, storage facilities, vehicles, machinery and resources.
2. Shipment receipts, delivery times and performance.
50
3. Supervision of personnel. In- service training of staff and identifying area on which training is required.
4. Evaluation of quality of the service towards total quality.
5. Guide for further needs.
6. Aid in obtaining funds by financial documentation.
7. Monitor suppliers’ performance.
8. Aid in setting priorities.
9. Assure that patient receives safe, effective drugs in affordable prices.
10. Detect losses.
11. Identify weak areas of the supply systems.(Antezana and Velassquez-1996)
2.3.12 Personnel:
The performance of the staff could be improved when there is :
1- Recruitment of qualified individuals, who are well paid.
2- Clear written job description.
3- Adequate training and preparation.
4- Regular supervision rewarding and motivation.
The presence of qualified pharmacists and trained pharmacy assistants in the top managerial and supervision position
almost improves the reliability of supply and the condition of goods supplied. Sufficiently high statuses must be granted to top-
level managers and supervisors in logistics services. (Quick--1997) competition and incentives should be through checklist.
22
51
2.4 Selection of Drugs
2.4.1 Introduction:-
For the 700 existing drug entities, there are more than 100,000 pharmaceutical products circulating in world market.70% of
which are duplicates, many are me-too drugs, others have no therapeutic benefits over the others. Some are unacceptable
dangerous drugs of adverse effects, outweighs their therapeutic value(Quick-1997). Drugs comprise about 40% of the total
health care budget. In European developed countries it is 13% - 37%, in South East Asia 35% - 45%, and in some African
countries ranging from 50% to 70%. Registration of drugs is the first step in selection of drugs from the world market to be
circulating in the country. Every country has a regulatory procedure for registration. In some countries there are up to 80,000
pharmaceutical products, some have10,000. Most of countries have 3500 – 4000 items .In Sudan there are about 6000
pharmaceutical products. Many of these items are: -
a-Duplicates: the exact active ingredient from many producers.
b-Minor variations of the prototype and offer no therapeutic advantage.
c-Have high toxicity relative to their therapeutic benefit.
d-New drugs with insufficient information on efficacy and toxicity.
e-Of therapeutic indications not relevant to the basic needs of the population.
f-More expensive than the existing similarly acting available drugs.
g-Many are not the first choice for treatment of specific disease.
Therefore ,selection is the balancing of different variables of efficacy, safety, cost, health care infrastructure and prescribers.
52
3- Competition on generic results in 50%-60% savings.
4-Bulk discounts and less inventory cost and less administrative cost.
5-Rational utilization of funds on essentially needed drugs to prevent or treat the prevalent diseases.
6- No drug waste or expiration.
7-Improved effectiveness and efficacy, lowers the cost of health care service and patient expending.
Selection is highly cost effective.(Antezana and Velasquez-1996)
53
The members are :-
1- Ministry of health representation..
2- Pharmacologist and university staff.
3- Representation of regional and local facilities.
4- Purchasing department representation .
5- Internist, surgeon and obstetrician.
6- Infectious disease specialist
7- Pediatrician.
8- Pharmacists.
9- Health care directors and health control programs managers..
10- Other specialists as needed.
2.4.6.2 Selection in INN (generic names):
Each drug has a chemical name and International Non-proprietary Name, beside the brand name of the manufacturer.
a. It allow for competition among producer resulting in :-
i. Good quality products.
ii. Lower prices obtained.
b. It offers clarity, more informative; the name can identify the class of the drug.
c. Allow purchasing from different suppliers, enhancing the form of the service.
d. It facilitates rational prescribing, easy dispensing and allow substitution.
e. Generically named drugs posses approved safety, efficacy and indicate low adverse effects.
f. The quality control methods for generic product was established on clear methodology so the quality could be controlled.
g. As most of generically named drugs lower the prices to 50% or less as most of them are off patent.
h. Selection in generic names is judicious.
i. Reduces the number of items, it maintain drug supply system of appropriate and manageable size in terms of human
and financial resources needed to monitor and control its operations effectively
( Hogerzeil-2001).
54
(Table 1)Classification of the WHO list and Sudan list of essential drugs:(SNLED-1995,WHO List of essential drugs-
1998).
Group WHO SLED SLED
Pharmacological–therapeutic group
No list 1995 2002
1 Anaesthetics * * *
Analgesics, antipyretics, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs & drugs
2 * * *
for gout
3 Antiallergics and drugs used in anaphylaxis * * *
4 Antidote and substances used in poisoning * * *
5 Anti convulsants / ant epileptics * * *
6 Anti infective drugs * * *
7 Antimigrain drugs * * *
8 Antineoplastic and immunosuppressive drugs * * *
9 Antiparkinsonism drugs * * *
10 Drugs affecting the blood * * *
11 Blood products and plasma substitutes * * *
12 Cardiovascular drugs * * *
13 Dermatological drugs (topical) * * *
14 Diagnostic agents * * *
15 Disinfectants and antiseptics * * *
16 Diuretics * * *
17 Gastrointestinal drugs * * *
18 Hormones and other endocrine drugs and contraceptives * * *
19 Immunologicals * * *
20 Muscles relaxants * * *
21 Ophthalmologic preparations * * *
22 Oxytocins and antitoxins * * *
23 Dialysis solutions * * *
24 Psychotherapeutics drugs * * *
25 Drugs acting on the respiratory tract * * *
26 Solutions correcting water, electrolyte and acid- base disturbances * * *
27 Vitamins and minerals * * *
55
The committee should be launched by the first post in the organization. His first deputy, normally, is the chairman of the
committee. The committee should be permanent and the order should point to the members and functions and activities
regulating its work.
2.4.8.3 Members: -
¾ Chairman – usually a physician representing the headquarter.
¾ Secretary – pharmacist; senior or drug information centre or pharmacologist.
¾ Head of main clinical department.
¾ Hospital pharmacist.
¾ Authoritative physician and specialist.
¾ Invited specialists to participate in certain issues, also nurses when needed with no voting privileges.
-Decisions should be made by vote.
-Members should not have any business relationship with pharmaceutical distributors or manufactures.
- Members should not be more than ten.
- One at least should attend continuing course in clinical pharmacology.
56
13- Implement the formulary either class by class or totally.
After finishing selection, drafting the formulary and widely disseminated, the deleted drugs could be eliminated and the new
drugs could be added.
14-Reviewing the formulary periodically and cautiously. Evaluation and monitoring of drugs by group facilitates the
improvement.
15-Endorsement by the chief of the organization.
2.4.8.8 Methods to promote formulary adherence:-
16-Take action on non-formulary drugs available
17-Provide easy access to the formulary list.
18-Involve the medical staff in preparing the list and committee decisions.
19-Provide lists for therapeutic automatic substitution when a prescribed drug is out of stock.
20-Design a request form for the use and addition of the drugs out of the list.
21-Prohibiting the distribution of drug samples of non-formulary drugs.
22-Filing the committee activities.
23-Shortly disseminate and develop the hospital drug manual.
24The list should be open for additions and deletions.
2.4.8.9 Results required from the formulary: -
a) The formulary should be designed to maximize the use of resources. Limited to conserve resource, as there is no way to
stock all drug in the national formulary. Therefore the number of drugs is limited.
b) Formulary in generic names, rationalize the practice, concentrate on drug of choice for prevalent diseases, assures the
balance of safety, toxicity, effectiveness and cost of a chosen drug and avoids duplication of unnecessary alternatives.
c) A formulary classified in therapeutic groups allow formulary manual development to provide unbiased information
resulting in improved prescribing, dispensing and appropriate use of drugs .
d) Provide good quality drugs and eliminate unsafe and ineffective drug and newly introduced drugs of questionable
efficacy drugs.
e) Decrease the inpatient hospital stay .
f) Leveling the list by medical occupation position, allow improved prescribing and restriction and limitation of use of certain
drugs to certain specialities and certain wards and professional level verify the patient safety and health.
g) Excluded approved products may be supplied to meet exceptional needs.
h) The formulary should provide an important objective of selection in establishing a drug supply system that satisfies
the health needs of certain community and respond positively to the exceptional circumstances.( Taylor & Harding-2001 ) .
2.5 Procurement of drugs:
2.5.1 Definition: It is the process of acquiring supplies, (Quick-1997) .
2.5.2 Objectives of procurement:
1-Making available, the right drugs, the right quantities in the right time.
2- Obtaining the lowest possible prices from a reliable supplier, ( best value for money) .
3- Assured quality.
4-Maintaining safety stock .
5- Achieve these objectives in a legal and ethical manner.
2.5.3 Procurement systems: procurement systems are sorted according to the type of the
organization except that many organizations may practice the process collectively in one
procurement office known as a pooled procurement. A worldwide belief that group purchasing
through one procurement office continues to offer clear advantage over decentralized
procurement in that:
a- Reduces prices to the lowest possible rates.
b- Reduces the cost of management.
c- Grantees payment, encourages suppliers to compete in price and performance.
But, the process is a time consuming and if one of the group members failed to fulfill his
commitment, the program may fail for the group.
2.5.4 Procurement methods:
The procurement methods may compared as follows:
(Table 2 ) Comparison table:
Method 1) Open tender 2) restricted tende 3) competitive negotia 4) direct purchase
Suppliers Open for all suppliers Pre qualified supp Limited suppliers Single suppliers
57
Competition Open Open and negotiat Negotiation Quoted prices
bargaining
Prices obtained Lowest prices Favorable Can be favorable Highest prices
Lead time Long Moderate Moderate Short
Work load High High Moderate Low
Conditions 1. Many supp 1. List of regist 1) Qualified ex 1) Other methods
available supplier. office needed not possible
2. No pre qualification 2. Good sup 2) Market intelligen 2) Emergency
3. Bulk quantities monitor 3) Small quantities 3) Single sources
4. Large facilities and 3. Certain stand low prices 4) Non-profits supp
supply channels of quality 4) Items are not wi
available
5) Long- term suppl
Mixed methods could be done; large and bulk quantities for open or restricted tender, small
quantities of low prices by competitive negotiation, direct negotiated purchases for
emergencies and when non-profit agency exists.
( Stephens M.2003)
2.5.5 Procurement Decisions: Procurement decisions depends upon the government laws and
regulations. Public sector if professionally managed, it can preferably choose the competitive,
restricted method from a limited list of reliable suppliers in annual, scheduled or perpetual
basis.( Quick-1997 )
adjusted quantity
Government
production
Purchasing requirements
58
The procurement office is the directing force of the cycle, all activities are scheduled in a time-
table in weeks. :
( Fig. 7) The Procurement cycle:
Determine Reconcile
Review the quantities needs and funds
selection list Choose the
method
Feedback
information Determine
on utilization Procurement suppliers
office
Distribution Tender
Orders
Receive and
check Monitor the
orders Contract
59
2.5.6.1 Review the selected list of drugs:
The selection list is prepared by authorized committee specifying the generic name, dosage
form, strength, basic unit, basic package size, basic package in the outer packets, specification
of containers, proposed price for basic unit and any other specifications.
2.5.6.2 Quantification of Drugs:
Quantification could be centralized or decentralized. Quantities should be adjusted for:
1-Filling the supply pipeline: 12 months working stock + 2 months safety stock for the center.
3 months working stock + 2 months safety stock for the regions, 3 months working stock + 2
months safety stock for health center, one month working stock for dispensaries, a total of 25
months stock.
2-Adjusting for lead time: should be determined for each drug. It is the time from issuing an
order to receiving the goods calculated in days.
3-Adjusting for losses, damage, expiration, spoilage and theft.
4-Adjusting for the growth of the program.
5-Adjusting for the outbreaks of epidemic and emergencies.
2.5.6.2.1 Methods of quantification:
A- Morbidity method: this method requires:( Griffiths -1991)
1-Prefect, dependable accurate statistical data in diseases and health problems.
2-Treatment guideline, approved manual defining the standard treatment.
3-Percentage of each treatment regimen for diseases.
4-Number of treatment episodes, and their age scale.
Formula: QE = quantity per episode = Dcu (number of basic units per dose) x N (number of
daily doses) x LD number of days of treatment.
(number of episode treated) ET =
number of contacts X problem frequency
100
PT = percent treated
Total quantity QT = QE x ET x PT
Problems related with this method: (Griffiths -1991)
1-Difficulty in obtaining the required data.
2-Different treatment patterns and different prescribers and different regions.
3-Could not be applied for more than 50-100 health problem.
4-Difficult to be applied in a complex system of different health levels.
5-A very generous method facing the limited funds.
However, it is useful in budgeting and calculating the cost of treatment. It indicates the huge
quantity of drugs required being useful to convince policy- makers on impossibility of free
supply system.
60
B-Consumption method: This method is based on the data obtained from the bin card at the
store level or at the health facility.(Quick-1997)
Calculated as follows:
Adjusted monthly consumption =
Total consumption in a period
(reviewed months – stock outs in months)
CA = CT / (RM - MO)
Being adjusted for the safety stock =
CA x lead time SS = CA x LT
This formula could be adjusted for vital items.
The quantity ordered could be subtracted and also stock in hand S1 subtracted so the quantity
required for a certain procurement period PP could be represented as:
QO = CA x (LT + PP) + SS – (S1 + S0)
Then could be adjusted for changes in utilization, prescribing and seasonality, out breaks,
losses and theft.
( Fig. 8 )Consumption data sheet: ( Griffiths -1991)
PP: procurement period. LT: lead time.
Drug C L P S stock Suggested Adjusted Basic u Value of Remarks
quantity to order price proposed or
ordered in quantity
S1 S 0 QO BU
61
( Fig.9 ) Population based estimate method, working sheet.
(Griffiths -1991)
of
- available data records - in available records
Consumption
consumption consumption
Drug
Total consumption
anRate
Month out stoc
1000 inhabitan
Average mo
1000 contacts
for the period
Consumption
Consumption
consumption
for
Name
Unit
inhabitants
If the morbidity data and consumption records are available regionally and centrally, both
methods of morbidity and consumption could be done and compared with the central records
and a rational value could be obtained(WHO-1990).
2.5.6.3 Reconciling Needs and funds: ( Quick-1997)
The total value of the cost of drugs being calculated should be reconciled with the available
funds.
If the cost of drugs exceeds the available funds, many factors should be considered:
1- The selection list 2- Prescribing patterns
3- Theft and losses 4- Good procurement monitoring
Then the cost effective dosage form is selected, and if quantities should be cut, it should be
systematic. Equal cut across all items is not reasonable. Disease priorities, age group priorities,
health facilities priorities could be reviewed. If enforced to cut the quantities, the rational cut
needs the analysis of the quantities.
1. VEN analysis 2. ABC analysis
3. Price comparison analysis 4. Therapeutic category analysis
5. Total variable cost analysis 6. Lead time and payment analysis .
7. Expiry date analysis 8. Hidden cost analysis
9. Cross check with other systems or with the last year consumption.
These methods of analysis could be done according to the available data.
1/ VEN system Analysis: classification of drugs into vital, essential and nonessential is best to
be done by an authorized expert committee or by the formulary committee or by the selection
committee. Taking into consideration the occurrence of disease and its severity and the
62
therapeutic effect of the drug. The population and prevalence of patient should also be
considered, together with the degree of life threat and of course the cost of therapy.
2/ ABC Analysis: categorizing the list into ABC according the value of their annual
consumption. Descending sorting of the percentage of the annual consumption values is
obtained and cumulative percentage is calculated plotting graphically the percentage against
number of drugs.
A- (10-20%) expend 75% -80% of the total value. B- (10-20%): expend about 15-20%, C-
(60-80%), expend 5-10% of the total value.
Special attention should be given to class A to protect from theft and losses and minimizing the
lead time, seeking for alternatives or decreasing the prices will significantly affect the
budget.(MDS-1997)
3/ Therapeutic category analysis: The same as the ABC except that drugs are grouped into
therapeutic groups. Detailed therapeutic category analysis accounts for the course of therapy of
a drug within the therapeutic group. Such analysis can aid in choosing the most cost effective
drugs, provides pharmacy economic information and focus on the high cost therapeutic
category. With the presence of morbidity data, the expenditure of each disease could be
obtained.
4/ Price comparison analysis: This method focuses on the prices of the drugs within the
system compared with other systems or comparing the prices obtained by different
procurement methods.
2.5.6.4 Choosing the procurement method:
In spite of being regulated by the government, it is not necessary to purchase all drugs by the
same method, however, the choice should achieve the objective of the lowest possible prices
and reliable supplier and good quality with minimal influences. Therefore intelligent
bargaining is essential.(ITC-1986)
2.5.7 Functions of the procurement committee:
(1) Choosing the method of purchasing.
(2) Defining the scope of the tender; (local or international).
(3) Estimate or fixed quantities? and decide on registration of items.
(4) The policy of selecting a single supplier for each drug or split the quantities between
number of suppliers?
(5) Choose the primary/ secondary winners or primary only. If failed call for rebidding.
(6) If an international scope was decided; should the local agencies be involved?
(7) Single annual tender or multiple tenders through the year.
(8) Decide whether the domestic drugs should be in a separate process.
(9) Pre or post – qualification of bidders.
(10) Give the time- table of the activities.
(11) Give the maximum delivery time allowed.
Group purchasing agencies and east Caribbean states use the restricted tender of pre
qualification of suppliers. Pre qualification is recommended by the internal pharmaceutical
federation (1992). Pre qualification saves time. Efficient supply systems use registered items
and pre qualified suppliers list. Scheduled delivery and scheduled payment maybe useful when
there is no access to funds. It is not appreciated to tender once a year when funds released in
monthly installments. (WHO-GL-1988). It is possible to use combination of two methods; e.g.
negotiated fixed quantities for the bulk large single consignment and the estimated quantity
63
method for the other products and splitting the quantities of the critical vital items. The tender
could be divided into categories, each therapeutic category in a separate tender.
The involvement of local agencies offices may be beneficial:
1/ Speeds the receipt of emergency suppliers.
2/ Improves communication with the supply system.
3/ Payment could be in the local currency and the supplier is foreigner.
4/ Participate in finding less expensive alternatives.
5/ Advises the producer to get competitive prices.
6/ Provides a legal aspects because being within one country.
7/ Provides information.
8/ Allowing the agency to oversee their products within the system.
2.5.8 Pre qualification and post qualification: (WHO-GL-1988).
Suppliers could be evaluated through:
(1) Performance records, including responses to inquiries, participation performance
delivery, shipment, documentation, packaging, shelf lives, finance and information.
(2) Quality of the products: including complaint, quality assurance, packaging and
certificates for new suppliers information on status, quality, inspection, personnel, clients,
finance and supervision. Public reports in its performance maybe of great value.
2.5.9 Sending the tender documents
a. Dissemination of a fully detailed call for invitation of bidders.
b. Detailed instruction in documents submission, validity of offers, prices currency,
performance and bid bonds, contract conditions, the tender time table, maximum date of
delivery and the technical specification.
c. The schedules of requirements
(Fig.10 ) “The Tender Book”
Quantity in basic unit
Basic unit pr
Package in basic unit
Documents required
Total value
Basic unit
Standards
Code No
Remarks
Strength
FOB
Item
CIF
CF
64
Lastly collate in an adjudication sheet for comparison. Each item in one comparison sheet
being headed by the tender number and year. The item number, description, strength, dosage
form, basic unit, quantity and pallet size, the followings are the column addresses of WHO and
CMS sheets
unit
WHO: (Fig.11 ) Comparison sheet
Exchange rate
Supplier code
Packs offered
Comparison
Pack price
Lead time
Pack size
Remarks
currency
value
ABC
CMSPO:
Tender No Tender’s name Price for unit Total cost Name of manufacturer General conditions
country of origin
Remarks
Delivery
Payment
(4) The lowest price bidder that has the capacity to supply a product that meets the standards
required would be awarded.
(5) The procurement office staff should not have a vote in the decisions, written criteria
adhere to the transparency, results should be available for all. Broadening the committee
ensures that it has the final authority, enforcing transparency and rebuild credibility. A short
appeal period gives confidence.
(6) Unit price CIF or CIP (CIP: purchaser warehouse) is an adequate mean of comparison,
delivery date should be compared with the history of the supplier performance. The cost of
shortage should be considered.
(7) Special stated criteria: The world bank state that up to 15% increase in price is allowed
for local industry, splitting of ordered quantities protects against political changes or any
disasters .
2.5.13 Contracting for drug supply: The contract is a binding document between the
purchaser and the supplier. It should be clear, specific and detailed.Trade Terms, technical
specifications and conditions, financial aspects and penalties, all should be clear.
1- Trade terms (Incoterms): it defines the exact point where the seller’s cost and
responsibilities ends.
2- Quantities: if the quantities is not fixed it is better to guarantee a minimum estimated
quantity.
3- Payment: the contract should specify the method of payment and currency, bidders use to
add a contingency factor when the governmental payment is indefinite.
4- Validity of the contract should consider the last shipment and date of last delivery.
5- Quality standards should be stated, quality assurance requirements defined and set
penalties.
6- The label is fully defined for each item and if extra labels in needed or unique identifier.
65
7- Packaging: clearly specify the inner container nature and contents and the package of the
outer container and the cartons and pallets dimensions. Blister or strips, trays for the ampoule
or cells, plastic or glass container for liquids. Neck or one end auto breakable ampoules or not-
state the defaults in packaging and penalties. Insurance for spoilage.
8- Remaining period of the drug shelf life should be stated clearly. Usually 75-60% shelf life
is required.
9- State the delivery dates and set the penalties on delayed deliveries.
10- Bid bonds and performance bonds: this could be stated according to the official
regulations the world bank stated 10% performance to be located by cash or draft or L.C with
30 days from the date of receipt of the award. This guarantees the liability of the supplier –
particularly in the open tender process.
11- The contract should state that the supplier would identify the buyer against all claims
that arise on account of patent rights, trademarks, designs and royalties.
12- The contract should define the defaults in all aspects of the contract and clearly define
the penalties for each default and the laws to which the supplier will be subjected.( Stephens -
2003)
2.5.14 Monitoring Performance: continuous reviewing of the product card in order to
facilitates tracing of the outstanding order, each order should be numbered date of order, date
of delivery, shipment and payment could be stated manually or by computer.
2.5.14.1 monitoring suppliers:
1. Tracing the lead time
2. Compliance to contracts
3. Shipment
4. Shelf life
5. Labeling
6. Packaging
7. Contract value
8. Annual purchasing from a particular supplier.
9. Keeping a file for each supplier containing all documents received.
10. investigating the hidden cost.
2.5.14.2 monitoring health facilities performance:
1-Value of drugs supplied in a year, compared with the estimated quantities.
2-Compliance with the deadline qualification.
3-Quality complaints, if any testing and evaluating the results
.(Fig.12)Product card side I:
Code number: Generic name:
Category: Trade name
Form: Dosage: Pack size:
Acceptable standards:
Technical specification:
Product card side II:
Order number Supplier Quantit Unit price Date promised Date of Comments
delivery
2.5.15 Managing procurements process:
2.5.15.1 Manager requirements:
66
1. Political commitment.
2. Modern financial management.
3. Efficient accounting system.
4. Well designed responsibilities arrangement.
5. Regular reports.
6. Regular communication with clients and suppliers.
7. Peripheral health facilities visits.
8. Formal training.
2.5.15.2 Procurement office responsibilities:
1. Collate information on needs of drugs.
2. Developing a procurement list.
3. Manage the tender process.
4. Monitor supplier performance.
5. Execute the decision of the selection committee.
The procurement office should not determine the supplier.
2.5.15.3 Staff: Director, assistant expert technical staff. Accountants, computer operators, one
of them should be professional, clerks, secretaries and receptionist. Generally trained staffs at
the key position are transferred just as they become competent at a position, they should be
stable.
2.5.15.4 Salaries: usually it is more cost effective to pay reasonable salaries than to implement
tough regulations. Restructuring procurement office as an independent or privatized unit may
be the only way for paying adequate salaries.
67
¾ Specifying quality standards.
2.5.17.2 Procurement of a limited list:
No health program can afford to purchase all drugs available in the market. The formula list
or the selection committee list should avoid duplication . Make the therapeutic category
analysis and use an approved formal procurement for the non-listed drugs.
2.5.17.3Procurement in bulk:
1/ Focusing on limited list of increased quantities to reduce the prices.
2/ Specifying the divided deliveries.
2.5.1.4 Formal supplier qualification and good monitoring:
1/ Keeping formal list for registered qualified suppliers.
2/ Qualification is based on quality, reliability, finance and check quantities. (the criteria are
used by a committee).
3/ Tracing the lead time, compliance to contract, shipment, deliveries, shelf life, packaging,
labeling and all conditions.
2.5.17.5 Competitive procurement:
Using competitive method for purchasing, keeping very small emergency.
2.5.1.6 Sole – source commitment: contracted drugs are only purchased from the winner.
2.5.17.7 Order according to systematic qualification:
1/ Keeping records for the actual consumption and accurate morbidity.
2/ Consumption had been adjusted for related factors.
3/ Expert technical committee had been encountered.
4/ Use ABC, VEN and therapeutic category analysis.
2.5.17.8 Reliable payment and good financial management:
1/ Prompt payment brings down prices.
2/ Separate drug accounts apart from the treasury cycle.
2.5.17.9Transparency and written procedures:
2.5.17.10 Separation of the key functions:
1/ Different expertise for different functions.
2/ Different committees for different activities.(Quick-1997) .
2.5.17.11 Quality assurance:
Maintain formal system for quality assurance (WHO certification, reporting quality problems,
quality testing). Bioequivalence for new suppliers products.
2.5.17.12 Annual audit with published results:
2.5.17.13 Regular reports on: .(Quick-1997)
1- Stock details report including expiry dates.
2- Out of stock report.
3- Expired stock report.
4- Nearly expired stock report.
5- Outstanding orders report.
6- Reorder quantities report.
7- Stock status reports by expiry dates.
8- Report in differences.
9- Inventory adjustment of stock.
10- Supplier performance report.
68
11- Facilities reports.
12- Supplier lead time report.
13- Accounts payable report.
14- Accounts receivable reports.
15- Warehouse activity report.
16- Tender list report.
17- Currency exchange rate report.
18- Tender offers report.
19- Account statement.
20- Adjudication report.
21- List of facilities accounts by total value.
22- Tender award list.
23- List of facilities accounts by item value.
24- Purchases by source report.
25- Percentage of the emergency purchases.
26- Planned purchases versus actual purchase.
27- ABC analysis.
28- Therapeutic category analysis.
29- Price comparison analysis.
30- Quality complaints report.
70
e- Returned drugs and free samples are collected and delivered in emergencies.
2.8.2 WHO core principles :
1-Donor driven donation is not advisable.
2-Donation should be given with full respect to the receiver.
3-If varieties are not acceptable in the donor country, It will be rejected .
4-Effective communication is required between donors and receivers.
2.8.3 WHO Guidelines for donation of drugs :
a- Donated drugs should be based on the recipient needs and being sent after notification.
b- Donated drugs should appear in the approved list of the donor’s country or the WHO list.
c- Presentation, strength, and formulation should be similar to that used in the receiver country.
d- Sources should be reliable and quality should comply with the standards.
e- Returned drugs and samples should not be donated.
f- Remaining shelf life should not be less than one year.
g- Labels should be complete in a language understood to the health professionals.
h- Shipment list, packing list to be provided, in cartons not exceeding weighing not more than 50 Kg.
i- Receiver should be informed on preparation and delivery of donated drugs.
j- Declared value should be based on the wholesale of its generic equivalent price in the receiver
country.
k- Costs of transport, warehousing, port clearing and all expenses should be paid by the donor.
l- In emergency situations, it is better to deliver the WHO New Emergency Health Kit .
71
Transportation, political or other related factors.
72
(Fig 14 )The distribution Cycle withihin the Warehouse
- Zoning in its location
- Enter the bin card
- FIFO /FEFO
In
- enter stock cards -Facility consumption
- Balance stock
Out Storage -Stock in Facility
-Stock in Store
- Issue approved quantitiess
- Receive Voucher of Reciept for
- Budget
facility Stock
Control Order
allocation
Receivingٌ
Shipping
2.9.4.4Communications :
Good communications are essential for the flow of information and
reduce the need to travel and save the traveling cost.
xlvii
-When products, have large stock. It is space saving, it holds the stock in good condition. often
at the national level.
-Loads can be moved easily using mechanical handling equipment.
-Pallets isolate cartons from the floor which may be damp and allows circulation under the
pallets.
-Easy to transship, inspection of damage and shortage could be easily detected.
-Floor pallets are suitable for warehouse height less than 3m, and when forklift is not available
and for heavy and bulky item.
-Floors should be marked to indicate pallets and aisle positions. (Stacked pallets on one another
for items without expiry date or fast moving is cheaper, space saving and no racks are used.
-Racking pallets; every tier need 1.5 meter height.
The benefits of shelving and pallet racking can be combined.
2.9.6.7 Handling facilities :
forklift, hydraulic hand trucks, trolleys, balance scale and …etc.
2.9.6.8 Distribution of drugs within the areas:
The basic elements are:-Temperature and Security.
Normal storage condition have been defined as “storage in dry, well ventilated premises at +15 c
to 25-30 c” WHO 1990.Each zone should have at least one thermometer, temperature is better to
be recorded at the hottest time. This temperature is assumed to be that obtained on air-
conditioner. Humidity should be controlled. Temperature at the upper part of the store is usually
40C even in cold climates. (Quick-1997)
2.9.6.9 Cold storage:
Many products require cold storage ( sera, vaccines, test kit, products of natural origin ). The
equipment and conditions of the cold storage differ from one level service to another and the
purpose of the program to be supplied. Each level equipped. Varies from cold rooms +4C, deep
freezer –20C to simple refrigerators. Cold boxes and ice packs, cold vehicle thermometers
built-in and in the room, recording forms, alarms and stand by generators automatically
backups on power failure are essential.
xlviii
(2) Inspection: senior staff, inspect to discover problems, personnel, shelving and signs of
theft, pest, and deterioration.
(3) Expired stock: should be designated in the waiting area for authority disposal, a writing
report should be kept. The cost of each item, order and source details. Written off the stock as
soon as destruction is authorized.
(4) Fire precautions: flammable trash must not be allowed to accumulate in the store.
Smoking is forbidden. Senior staff should obey restriction as the Junior staff. Fire-detection and
fire fighting equipment inspected .
(5) Security: the storekeeper office should be designed to observe all activities. No vehicles
allowed except by permission ticket. Visitors are not allowed, business visiting accompanied by
senior staff only.
(6) Staff facilities: Sanitary facilities; well maintained and located at the perimeter of the
building.
- Staff rest zones; cafeteria; first aid equipment always stand by.
(7) Staffing and organization:
- In house training of the staff; motivation and good salaries to improve performance,
avoid causal labor because of drug theft,
- An operation manual should describe all polices, structure and top description, flow of
information, procedures of all tasks and activities and forms used.
(8) Good communication is essential. “Telephone”
2.9.7 Procedures and Paper flow :
2.9.7.1 Objectives:
(1) Provide information on consumption and inventory levels.
(2) Provide documents for safe storage and movement of supplies.
(3) Check the performance of the system.
2.9.7.2 Receiving:
Once supplies arrived the following document should be prepared:-
(a) Purchase order. (c) Port clearance report.
(b) Supplier invoice. (d) Bill of lading and Packing list.
* Arrived supplies should be quarantined, and then inspected.
1. Check the content against the invoice and purchase order .
2. Discrepancies, variations and damage noted on the invoice.
3. Through inspection according to formal checklist.
4. The annotated invoice dated and signed by the senior staff.
5. Reporting.
6. Copies of the invoice, receiving report and purchasing order are distributed to : 1)Main file
2)Warehouse. 3)Inventory control. 4) Accounting unit.
7. Supplies picked by the storekeeper with the report.
8. Coding drugs in generic.
9. Inventory control enters the quantities into stock cards.
10. Keeping in a file the invoice and the receiving report.
2.9.7.3 Storage:
1) Post each item in its bin card and the bin area
2) File the receiving repor
3) Control the stock using FIFO and FEFO.
2.9.7.4 Order allocations: The designated officer reviews requests, facility consumption,
quantities in stock at the facility , the warehouse stock, the facilities budgets and then allocate
an order.
2.9.7.5 Issuing: The issuing tickets is sent to the inventory control and from the stock card
weighing the quantities and inform the director in any observations. Again the director signs
the ticket and the inventory control issue quantities and sends them to the store. Storekeeper
prepares the issued item and subtracts them from the bin card. The store men pack the loose
items in cartons. Issue in FEFO. However, now the computer do it simply.
2.9.7.6 Shipping:
1-Final packing, sealing and labeling of boxes, under observation of the facility representation
or driver of the vehicle.
2-Prepare 3 copy voucher, signed by the receiver, two to the driver, one in the book.
3-Two copies of the issue ticket delivered with the supplies.
4-The facility representative signs the voucher and the issue ticket and returns them back to the
store.
xlix
5-The shipping department sends one issue ticket and the voucher to the inventory control and
retains one copy of issue ticket and the voucher. The inventory control clears the voucher for
the driver.
6-The receiving facility sends a report of received supplies and balances of the stock before the
next request, otherwise no supplies could be delivered later.
2.9.7.7 Stock taking: “Inventory Verification”
Taken by the audit office, physical stock counts reconciled with the inventory control records,
annually ,periodically and perpetually.
Cyclic counts took the advantage of continuous monitoring.
Purpose: Enforce regulation being designed to prevent loss and wastage.
Form an evaluation tool for the warehouse performance. And check the efficiency of the
security measures( MSH-2001 Inventory management).
Identify surplus, expired and obsolete stock. .
2.9.7.8 Promoting efficiency within the warehouse:
To promote efficiency the following issues should be regarded:
Working conditions; ventilation, clean lines, sanitary facilities, cafeteria.
Written operation manual; policy, procedures, job descriptions flow of documents, problems
and supposed solution
Postal information; no smoke, no parking, no segregation, bin cards and marking floor.
Supervision, penalties. Training programs. Salaries and motivation.
Order
Reorder Receive
Inventory
Control
Audit Store
Issue
li
2.9.8.9 Safety Stock
Safely stock is that stock needed to avoid stock out during the lead time.
SS = Ltx CA CA = average consumption
For vital item SS may be multiplied by 1.5 for courtesy to avoid stock outs.
Lead time may not always be perfect, delaying should be calculated. Expected delivery date =
contract date + delayed period.
Seasonal deviation of consumption should be calculated and adjusted.
CA = Consumption + adjustment.
All these measures tend to increase the safety stock, so it is important to monitor lead time and
consumption carefully.
As the objective of the system is to provide maximum service level with minimum total safety
stock, the cost of additional safety stock should be weighed against potential adverse health
and political impacts of stock outs.
2.9.8.10 (Fig. 16) Reorder Inventory level :
Qo Reordering stock
in hand
LT
SS
months
Stock on hand = working stock + SS, maximum SS + Qo
Average working stock = ½ Qo, average stock on hand or inventory stock.
1 = ½ Qo + SS
The inventory cost can be reduced by frequent ordering smaller quantities. Reducing the safety
stock can increase the chance of stock outs.
lii
After each transaction or weekly the stock is reviewed. When the item falls to the reordering
level an order is placed.
It provides a lower I & SS. But still a reserve stock is required. It responds rapidly to
consumption variation and changes. Suitable for hospitals and 2-3 days lead time prime vendor
or one supplier. Useful to spread cash all over the year. It is not suitable for the public sector
because reviewing the records adds extra load of work and there should be a large safety
stocks. Vital items by the time of transactions may be out of stock..
Procedures for purchasing need time to be formally adopted, this time may make the purchase
awkward. Not compatible with tender and official purchasing. High purchasing costs. High
unit price drugs.
Requirements:
Current and accurate stock records. Good communication with suppliers and utilizers. Good
access to funds.
Estimated-quantity contracts.
2.9.8.11.4 Mixed Methods System: Imported, low price , infrequently used drugs, may be
annually purchased. Slow-moving but regularly used drugs may be purchased by the scheduled
method. High volume drugs, expensive drug by perpetual purchasing method.
ABC analysis + Fast/ Slow/ Dead classification + Vital/ Essential/Non
( Fig. 17)Combined method classification of recording frequency.
A F V A F V
B S E Or B S N
C D N C D
The most impact on the inventory cost is AF.
ASV should have a higher safety stock than AFN
CSN only ordered when needed.
Shortage cost:-
¾ Emergency purchase: usually higher prices obtained.
¾ Loss of revenue: Client go elsewhere, to purchase out stock items.
¾ Increased mortality & morbidity due to lack of drugs.
¾ Loss of good-will: Loss of public confidence on the supply system.
¾ Political aspects.
liv
- Rational selection of drugs and * Inflexible in selection for different regions, climatic
medical supplies. zones, and the health level.
* Resistance by prescribers due to limited range of drugs.
- Simple in supply activities with * Need special management skills, space and staff.
reduced risk of theft. * Difficulty in returning quantities leading to waste and
- Support for developing rational expiry.
prescribing and treatment guide * Negative effect in development of the supply
line. management system ordering, inventory control and
- Equitable availability of EDs. distribution.
- Scheduled supply intervals * Lack of flexibility in quantities leads to shortage or
leading to more secure deliveries to surplus.
rural areas. * Not compatible with cost sharing programs.
* Difficult to monitor expiry.
* Difficult to pay for drug kit
lvi
(10) Private Trucks and cars on rent basis .
(11) Governmental or regional acquired vehicles.
Drug carrier should be closed secured and cost effective. Options depend on the situation of the point to be supplied.
lvii
2.11 Rational Drug Use :
The rational use of drugs requires that patients receive mediations appropriate to their clinical
needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time,
and at the lowest cost to them and their community (WHO 1985-Nairobi).
It is the health system that holds the selection of drugs, drug supply responsibility on
procurement and distribution which constitutes the basis for the rational use. Drugs provided
with confirmed safety, efficacy and at affordable cost. It is the prescriber who diagnoses and
prescribes the suitable drugs, defines the dosage, administration and duration of treatment.
It is the dispenser who informs the patient about the prescribed drugs.
It is the patient who adheres to treatment and properly use the drug.
2.11.1 Some forms of irrational drug use:
1-No drug needed but there is a bill for every ill.
2- Wrong drugs.
3-Ineffective drugs and drugs with doubtful efficacy e.g., vitamins.
4-Unsafe drugs e.g., use of anabolic steroid and appetizer- dipyrone.
5-Under dose of available effective drugs.
6-Incorrect use of drugs e.g., overuse of injectables,Incomplete course of therapy.
7-Poly pharmacy.
2.11.2 Impacts of irrational drug use:
1. Hide the goals of treatment leading to death for untreated disease.
2. Anaphylactic shock due to excessive use of injection.
3. Overdose of drugs leads to toxicity, develops drug resistance markedly antibiotics and anti
malarial drugs.
4. Increase drug expenditure for the patient, health system and the whole country.
5. Under use may add additional cost at least for prolonged treatment duration.
6. Socio-economical concept of the concept ( there is a bill for every ill).
7. Non-essential drugs expend the funds of vaccines ,essential and vital ones
2.11.3 Sources of irrational drug use:
( Fig. 19) Factors influencing irrational drugs use:
Expiry,shortage
wrong drugs, lack
of reliability
supply
system
Short onsultation time Irrational lack of information,
, . cultral blieves , Patient
use of self interest , lack of
prescriber attitute . Prescriber
drugs training , poor
lack of information regulations
Dispeser
lxi
2.11.6 Dispensing :
Good dispensing ensures that an effective form of the correct drug is delivered to the
right patient in the prescribed dosage form and quality , with clear instruction and in a
package that maintains the potency of the drug .
It is thought that, dispensing is a simple routine process that cannot go wrong , just
read a written drug , delivered to the patient, but its not that so simple , all the health
care activities will be of no value if the patient does not receive the effective form of
the drug , clear instructions for use and in an appropriate package .
2.11.6.1 Place :
The site of the pharmacy should be located in an appropriate place , clean and
organized .The dispensary area and staff should be clean , free of dust and dirt .
Shelves , surroundings , equipment, packaging material and staff should be maintained clean and organized
.Food and drink must be kept out of the dispensing area , refrigerators are used only for medicine . Cross
contamination of tablets dust is not allowed e.g. penicilin tablet may contaminate tablets being harmful to
sensitive patient .Stock should be organized alphapitically or according to the code index . Drugs should be
labeled with satisfied information
2.11.6.2 Temperature :
The temperature of the environment must meat the requirement of the handled drug ,
bottles must be kept close except on use . Fast moving item are placed in the most
accessible areas. Walls, shelves, door and windows should be neat, clean and
polished.
2.11.6.3 Personnel :
The major difference between supplying medicines and supplying other goods is that
the patient receiving drugs is not able to justify the quality and the use of the product
he received .The responsibility for this, lies on the dispenser who must be legally
practicing this task , that is a professional pharmacist.
Assistants, technicians, dispensers should be trained on :
Common knowledge about medicines they dealing with.
-Accounting , calculations and inventory recording .
-Cleanness and accurate honest practices .Effective communication with patients. The activities of
these training programs should be supervised by professional pharmacist .A registered pharmacist is
a professional that holds the issue. The rule of the pharmacist in the supply system had been
significantly altered in the last 20 years from product oriented care to patient oriented care , moving
from care of pharmaceuticals to be one of the clinical team involved in deciding and designing the
patient treatment , the pharmacist is referred as an expert of drugs. Technicians should be trained to
deal with drugs . Drugs consume a largest budget in the health service and so it is unfair to be left
for untrained , irresponsible staff.
Assistant staff should follow a written protocols and closely supervised.
2.11.6.4 Dispensing Process
(Fig20) The dispensing cycle
Container Daily
Coarse of Weekly
Therapy packaging dispensing recording
Monthly
process
Yearly\
Tools
Issuing record
Verfying
Delivering &
instruction Preparing items
1-Receive, validate the prescription and confirm the patient name, age and Sex.
2-Verfying and interpret the prescription, the abbreviation, the dose. Check the age
and sex, calculate the dose and quality required, Identify any drug interaction.
3-No verbal prescription is accepted except on emergencies , and rewritten shortly.
Any doubt about what is required , the prescriber should be checked because an error
in dispensing may cost lives.
4-Prepare items : counterchecking to ensure accuracy, write the label and check it .
Many containers should not be opened at one time. Dependence on the place of the
item or the color may be fatal.
5-Instruct the patient, let the patient repeat the instruction and recheck the patient
name, warning about possible side effects and deliver.
6-Cancel the prescription, sign and send to record.
The use of numbered receipt system combined with prescription-ready indicator that
displays at remote location can overcome the problems created due to crowed drug
outlet. ( Stones -2003 )
lxiv
Regulations
Provider patient
When the provider and the payer is closely related or are a single
organization it a managed care service..
In this type of health service , in spite of the easy cost control, it creates a conflict
of interest between cost control and quality of care.
lxv
* It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that drugs finance is
managed in such a way that makes drugs accessible and affordable.
2.12.5 Health insurance:
Insurance coverage increases with the income. It is more than 75% coverage in a well
established economies, it is only 5% in Africa.
The basic philosophy of health insurance is the risk-sharing ,if an individual
is ill , the cost of treatment would be shared by the population .This is
organized by paying a regular premiums .So the whole group protect
themselves from paying a full cost of treatment , which they may not afford
.( MDS –1997 )
2.12.5.1 Types of health insurance:-
There are four international types of health insurance.
1- Social health insurance:-
Social security funds, governmentally organized, compulsory systems
for the formal employees, premiums are often deducted from salaries. It
may be according to the income. Service may be provided either in the
government, insurer or private facilities.
It may cover preventive service, out patient, in patient and primary care.
Insurance coverage increases with the income.
2- Managed care:-
Have the incentive to encourage cost control and drug rational use.
The insurer takes the role of supervising the activities, managing the service
or contracts with specific provider.
lxvii
2.12.11 RDF
When funds are limited, drug shortage becomes common even when
selection, procurement, distribution and use are efficient and rational.
Cost sharing through drugs fees is one of the alternatives for purchasing
essential drugs.
The World Bank defines the RDF as the community financing for the
availability of essential drugs at full cost prices.
RDF is at first, one- time capital injected in the system, purchasing drugs
(should be of affordable prices, mainly essential drugs.), sales( it may be
with marginal interest), the revenue is used to replenish utilized stock and
cover the operation cost )(Parker D and Knippberge-1999).
2.12.11.1 Objectives :-
1. Availability of drugs as a real improvement of health care.
2. Reserve funds for suitable supply of drugs.
3. Essential drugs are critical for preventive care and curative care .
4. Patients always willingly pay for drugs .
5. Inadequate amount of drugs with high prices in the private sector . The
RDF prices are more affordable.
6. Patients and prescribers make greater value of drugs when paid,
enhancing rational prescribing and use.
7. Efficiency of drugs service and good revenue.
8. The main objective of RDF is to maximizes access to drugs.
9. RDF without source of low cost drugs, subsides quickly and ceases to
revolve.
2.12.11.2 Common pitfalls :-
1. Money collected is insufficient to replenish the original stock and
funds soon be depleted. .
2. Careful economic and accounting analysis ..
3. Increase in the procurement cost due to changes .
4. Underestimated capital .
5. Rapid program expansion .
6. High operation cost .
7. Losses ,theft, deterioration and mismanagement .
8. Tie of funds in the bank .
9. Delayed collection from facilities and other payment agencies .
WHO (1996) – the higher income country the lower the share of drugs of
the total health expenditure .
less than 5$ / capita = unlikely regular supply of drugs to population .
10. 5- 10 $ / capital = could supply larger part of population
11. 10 – 50 $ /capita = the needs of entire population would be satisfied. (
Kaddar, Dumoulin and Velasquez 1991).
2.12.12.1 Problems facing health insurance :-
1. Moral hazard :-
lxviii
Member used health service more frequently than if they are not insured .
Deductibles and co payment are used to control this problem .
2. Adverse selection :-
People at greater health risk with chronic illness join the program while
healthiest are not .
Here, increased cost and reduce sharing .
3. Skimming :-
When insuring group and rejecting others with high risk. Results in
avoiding those who need the service.
4. Cost escalation :-
Rising costs maybe resulting from greater use of technology or increase in
demand and utilization.
Ideally, insurance schemes should be designed on the concept of the overall
health policy and health financing strategy.
2.12.12.2 Issues that need to be included in designing schemes :-
12. Policy objectives .
13. Population coverage .
14. Benefits to be included (outpatient , inpatient , drugs.
15. Organization of health services .
16. Premiums calculations and payment mechanisms .
17. Utilization and cost control measures .
18. Administrative arrangement .
(WHO , Norman and Weber 1994 , design of social insurance schemes )
A successful insurance program must organize the registration of members
and dependents , the definition of services cover , accurate projection of
payment to set premiums , collection of premiums , handling of claims ,
payment providers , utilization ,quality monitoring and cost control .
lxx
3-Treatment guiding is recommended especially in managed care particularly for common diseases
and for higher – price drugs.
4-Specific items or groups of drugs or therapeutic categories could be indorsed firstly before dispensing
.
5-Quantities dispensed ,number of items per prescription, frequency of refills and total expenditure , all
could be controlled by regulations .
6-Review of over prescribing and follow up of prescription , dispensing regulations .
Cost control measures must not reduce the accessibility of essentials
drugs. Medicare does not pay any thing for the out patient drug expenses
and gain 10% discount from the contracted pharmacies.
( Medicare-2002)
Health insurance programs are still the more convenient method for financing drugs .
Although each financing mechanism has benefits and limitations ,the net
effect of pluralistic approach is to distribute the burden of financing across
several recovers .
The challenge is to make optimal use of the available funds.
2.12.16 Guidelines For Managing finance :
A)Cash basis:
B)Accrual basis :record all transaction at the line they are make . every transaction is evaluated in cost wise .
the use of the accrual basis system is the most suitable for sustained
program of drug supply .
the financial manager is responsible for ensuring that the resources are
used in the best way possible to achieve the program objectives .
2.12.16.1 Objectives :-
1. Preparing a long-term plan , proposing the most cost-
effective way to provide the planned services . Outline the
resources needed .
2. Setting a competitive and affordable prices .
3. Preparing a budget to plan containing the expenses .
4. Preparing a cash- flow forecasts to ensure the availability
of cash to cover obligations. .
5. Analyzing the costs to assess cost effective and monitor
efficiency .
6. Controlling and manage collection, safekeeping and
spending of funds .
7. keeping proper accounting reports.
8. Systems should be designed to control expenses, operation cost
and depreciation .
2.12.16.2 Principles for financial control :
¾ Dividing duties among different individual.
lxxi
¾ Regulating transactions through the use of written
procedures.
¾ Recording and monitoring all transactions.
¾ Providing a constant period accounting reports.
2.12.16.3 Books to be kept :
1. Cash received book.
2. Cash paid book.
3. Petty cash book for small cash payment.
4. Accounts received ledger owing to the program..
5. Accounts payable ledger owed by the program.
6. Sheets for purchases and sale .
7. General ledger for income ,
8. Expenses book
9. ,Assets and Liability account .
10. Salary book .
11. Inventory records showing quantities and costs .
12. Fixed assets register .
2.12.16.4 Reports Required :
1-Budget preference report :annually and monthly ,shows the come
from grants ,drug account ,-expenses and comparing the budgeted
and the actual revenue for the last year .
2-Income and expense report :-Monthly and annually . shows the income
and expenses to date and accumulative surplus or deficit in a percentage to
the drug cost .
3-Balance sheet :-Monthly and annually balance of the end of the period
at one times shows assets ,liabilities ,reserves and funds balances.
Liabilities is measured by comparing the cash balance to the accounts
payable. It is import to balance, that drug stocks and accounts receivable
will result in cash income that can meet the liabilities.
4-Drug stock accounts:- Summary of the total account of drugs. and
detailed account by drug, attached to the income and expenses .
5-Accounts payable and receivable :-Shows the balance of each debtor and
creditor ,breaking the balance into months. The situation of each supplier ,
regions and facilities .
6)Report in drugs distribution free of change and waivers for sales to the
poor or special group .should be recorded in special receipts.
7) Value of drugs expired or lost .
8) Value of drugs – distributed .
9) Value of orders not received .
10) Situation of each supplier .
2.12.16.5 Good financing control:
A)receipts:
1-Prenumbered receipts for all cash received .
2-keep the original of conceited receipts.
3-Keep stock records on receipt book and lock those not in use .
lxxii
4-Cash and cheques received should be kept separately from other funds .
and should not be used as a source of payment. Bank them promptly.
5-Revise bank balance every month .
6-Use a register to record all cheques received.
7-Do not cash personal cheques from petty cash .
8-Register all donations or fixed assets and showing the value .
B) Assets :
¾ Protect against loss or theft with appropriate security and
insurance.
¾ keep books for equipment and vehicles .
¾ Identify all related equipments by marking.
¾ Maintain a fixed assets register .keep an up-to-date maintenance
and inspection records
¾ .keep cash reserves in a low–risk investment.
¾ Monitor advances and accounts receivable to be cleared within its period.
¾ Maintain up–to-date inventory records and reconcile balances
each month with the accounting record
¾ .Physical checking up a sample of inventory balances each month
.
C) Controlling Expenditure :
¾ Establish detailed procurement procedures .
¾ Obtain written bids or quotes for all purchase above specified
limits and attach the purchase order .
¾ Use a local purchase order for all local purchases .
¾ Check the entry of received goods in the inventory records .
¾ Check the quantities , quality and prices of received goods
according to the purchase order specifications .
¾ Make all payments in cheques.
¾ Documentation of all purchases.
¾ Check the proposed expenditure against the budget.
¾ Check that funds are available .
D – Liabilities
keep accounts payable of a minimum level .
Maintain control over suppliers invoices , what have
been paid , the delivery and date of receipt .
lxxiii
3) Depends on accurate reasonable records on drug consumption and
morbidity data.
4) Minimize leakage of the systems
2.13.2 Types of security breaches :
1- Theft
2-Fraud
3- Abuse
4-Commissions “ bribery “.
Shortage caused by these breaches leads to deaths and patient suffering.
2.13.2.1Theft:
A-Forms of theft
a- Small, chronic, sustained and small scale leakage; staff at the storage
area are usually responsible .
b- Large scale, may involve persons inside and outside the system.
c- Diversion of goods before reaching its destination involves person in
responsible positions .
B-Factor promoting theft:
1) Poor physical security in stores .
2) Weak inventory records .
3) Unlimited access to stores by unauthorized people .
4) Insufficient staff salaries ,with products of high value .
5) High demand for drug in the private sector .
6) Weak punishment decisions .
7) The same product in the market “ No identifiers “
C-Probable outlets of stolen drugs :
a. Exported to neighboring countries
b. Sold to or stole by physician and other health workers.
c. Sold directly to the public through families , friends and pharmacies .
D-Sites and probable forms of theft & control :
1) At the port :
Form of theft :
1-Diversion of shipment to other country .
2-Off – loading to dispatching vessels to others country .
3-Petty theft by port workers .
4-Major theft at the customs warehouses .
Control :
1-Containerization of goods.
2-Rapid port clearance .
-Control:
¾ Direct visits to manufacturer to assess compliance to the offer
specifications.
¾ Good quality assurance practice
lxxvi
¾ Receiving committee , rigid inspection
2.13.2.3 Commissioning :
Illegal payment from supplier to the system staff to deviate
choices of drugs, increase order quality, accept higher prices , and biases
supplier selection
1-Choice of drug:
¾ A bribe is difficult to be given to a committee. Selection of drugs
should be a responsibility of a committee.
2-Influencing quantities:
¾ The use of accurate consumption data closes the way for bribery to the purchasing office to
alter quantities.
¾ Effective forecasting on the basis of dependable inventory record.
3-Acceptance of higher prices:
¾ Purchasing should be only through committee.
¾ Tender basis .
4-Supplier selection :
¾ the tender board use transparent procedures .
records , effective distribution, quality assurance , good forecasting , checking of receipts, unannounced
physical stock counts and continuous reporting .No additional cost will be paid.
2) Measures for identifiers , construction of secure warehouses and appropriate staff payment can be
¾ More purchases
caused by theft
¾ Higher prices caused by bribes which are added to the real price .
3) Concentrated rigid punishment is not costly.
lxxvii
Chapter 3
Objectives
lxxviii
A- Main objectives :
B- Specific Objectives :
1- To define a disciplinary organizational structure for the
pharmaceutical service in the Peoples Armed Forces.
2- To predict a suitable method for selection of pharmaceuticals.
3-To clarify the good pharmaceutical procurement practice.
4-To assess the warehouses, the distribution system and propose the
effective pipeline to ease the flow of drugs.
5-To investigate the prescribing problems and define the impact of
lxxix
Chapter 4
Methodology
lxxx
4. The Methodology :
4.1The Subject :
The research had been carried out in the Sudanese Medical Corps (The Military Medical Services Directorate)
health facilities, at the center and the regional hospitals in the period from 8/2000 to 2/2004. The subject Drug
Supply Management is a wider issue and need to be segmented, but for the great need of the military medical
services, the research covered all the dimensions hopefully to be applied .So, the research was focused on the
systems. Further studies could be carried out on the topics being tackled.
4.1.1 Importance of the subject:
The drug supply of the SMC faces many problems necessitating the study of the drug supply dimensions. They
are :
1-Scarcity of financial resources.
2-The general trend of the army usually contains a complaint on the supply performance.
3-The organization is unstable. The hesitation in location of the supply sector was clear and in aggregation
and segregation of activities.
4-The shortage of drugs at the war areas may cost the fighters lives.
5-Inequity in the existence of two systems, the war areas supply depending on the government budget with
the known difficulty in its accessibility in spite of the share of the fighters in the health insurance program
deductibles.
6- Lack of qualified personnel.
7-The rumors of inefficiency of the tender methods in drug purchases . 8-The potentials in providing non-
essential drugs .All these make the comprehensive study of the drug supply systems a must.
4.1.2 Guiding tools :
The tools used for investigations are:
1- WHO indicators.
2- Drug supply systems assessment ( managing drug supply )
3- Rapid pharmaceutical assessment. (MSH).
4- Assessment of organizations.
5- Interviews to expertise.
4.1.3 Preparatory phase :
To prepare of the study managerial background is essential. This was obtained by:
1- Visit to Management Improving Center (Khartoum). For planning ,management and organization
studies.
2- Sudan Academy for Management Sciences, for organizational studies
3- Sudan National Records for the historical studies .
lxxxiii
) There is no legalized, endorsed and documental statement concerning
drug policy or adopting the National one.
) The directives of the NCS and objectives of the SNDP were not known
in the field of SMC.
) There are no sound procedures to formulate the drug policy within the
military service or to design a plan for the supply of drugs.
) The pharmaceutical performance of the supply systems of the SMC
could not be evaluated due to the absence of a clear mission statement.
Selection of drugs is through the MHI list which lacks consensus and
stability. Storage, distribution and rational use of drugs are without
guided objectives. The list of the free drugs is not constant. The
successful implementation of the MHI program was due to the wise
involvement of all sectors and to the wise presentation for the covered
groups.
The formulation of drug policy requires the constitution of technical and
involvement committees. The involvement of the health and military
sectors provides consensus and highlighting the goals. The endorsement
by the Chief of Staff provides the commitment of the Headquarter. The
initiator for the task may be the Board of Directors of Takaful or the
recommended Pharmacy and therapeutic committee. Then program and
working plans could be designed according to the stated goals and
objectives.
The mission statement should not contradict the National Directives and
the military discipline. The WHO general plan for pharmaceutical supply
provides appreciated precursor to design a comprehensive strategy.
The political, financial and military support is essential. The executive
level should design a budget and time- tied plans.
5.1.2 NFDMS : The stated policy of the NFDMS divided the activities
into three dimensions , the building , the equipment and personnel . The
performance was not stated .
5.1.3 The SNDP : Referring to the SNDP which states the purchasing of
drugs through tenders, supporting the domestic drugs, advising for
establishment of statistical units and giving attention to the substantive
distribution of drugs to the regions. These subjects are not in action and
even the SNDP was unknown in the field of the MC .
5.1.4 The Jordan RMS :There is a written ,endorsed policy document.
JRMS supply system objectives :
1-Improving performance and upgrading quality of service .
2-Rapid achievement.
3-Control and follow up .
lxxxiv
Strategies: Planning and organizing the work and stating the objectives
in a frame of plan considering the evaluation and studying the results of
the evaluation.
A- Improving performance and upgrading quality of service.
1-Maintaining substantive supply of the medical requirements.
2-Maintaining the lowest possible inventory levels and keeping the
losses to minimum.
3- Previous statement of the specifications, standards and purchasing
method and the criteria for evaluation.
4- Implementing the legal relations systems in contracting.
5- Improving the concept of planning and policy statement.
6- Making available higher quality drugs in the lowest possible prices.
7- Keeping good reproductive relations with suppliers.
8- Activating the principle of competition.
9- Evaluation of suppliers and their performance.
10- Activation of personnel by incentives.
11- Ensuring the principle of wise and modern management.
12- Maintaining quality and technology.
13- Security of information.
14- Training the personnel through workshops, residency, lectures,
multipurpose short and long-term training.
B-Rapid achievement.
1- Adopt the principle that divides the work according to specialties.
2- Computerization to achieve rapid flow of information.
3- Upgrading and developing the communication media.
C- Control and follow up.
1-Working through committees to provide transparency and for follow
up the performance. The programs and responsibilities of these
committees should be previously stated.
2-Subdividing the duties according to the staff abilities.
3-Follow up the performance through the connected computers network
and by keeping close.
Responsibilities of performance improving committee:
1- Evaluation of the procedures of requisition from the warehouses.
lxxxv
2- Procedures of handling drugs from the warehouses till recorded on the
inventory control at the hospital warehouses and the outlets.
3- Numbering and arrangement of the stock and storage conditions.
4- Procedures of filling the prescriptions and departments requisitions.
5- Procedures of dispensing drugs to the inpatients.
6- The inventory records at the pharmacies and departments.
7- Procedures of selling to other health facilities.
8- Procedures of handling the dangerous drugs and narcotics.
9- The personal responsibilities for equipment.
Investment
Service Deputy department
Training
Finance
Wafrapharma Neisar Medical
Legal affairs drug plant supply
Legal affairs
Administration
WarehouseII
Executive office Supply
Supply
P.U Service
Executive office
War operation Cards
Statistic
Transportation
Equipment
Warehouse 1
Drugs
Sanitary Regional
Fluids and dressings Central hospitals
hospitals pharmacies
pharmacies
Public pharmacies
Public pharmacies on contract
on contract
lxxxviii
Drug supply depatment is one of eight departments subordinated to
Takaful manager. It is responsible for all drug logistics activities in the
PAF.
5.2.2.3 Reorganization for the year 2004 :
1-The Medical Supply Corporation of the NFDMS had been cleared out,
the importation section had been affiliated to Niessar Drug Company and
the 8 Public Pharmacies are affiliated to Wafrapharma plant.
2-The post of the leader deputy for the medical supply had been filled by
the plant manager ( Brigadier, pharmacist ) being responsible for the
supply of the war areas with a colonel pharmacist as assistant.
1-The post of the supply manager of the Takaful had been filled by a
colonel pharmacist and nomenated as a second leader deputy for the
medical supply.
( Fig. 23 ) The New Organization Structure (2004) :
Chief Staff Deputy for
Administration
MHI
Centre Contro
Finance Service Supply States Cards l&
& supervi
Admin sion
istratio
n
Comment :
1-It was clear that there was no distinguished pharmaceutical sector in the armed
forces. Actually there are pharmaceutical units scattering among three bodies
working in the same field of the armed forces.
2- From1998 to 2004 ,the supply activities had been aggregated and seggergated
six times ,suffering from a situation of instability of organization.
3-Seven out of thirteen military pharmacist are woking in the NFDMS.
4-The pharmaceutical activities are not directly supervised by SMC Leader.
5-The Supply Department of Takaful supervises two supply units within other
departments.
The following organizational structures are for comparison:
5.2.3.1 The RDF, Khartoum State Organization Structure:
Fig (24) The RDF organizational structural chart
xc
Manager General
The RDF Council was chaired by the Minister of Health.
The Procurement Committee was chaired by the Manager of the RDF.
Now on the year 2003 it became an autonomous organization.
5.2.3.2 The Sudanese Medical Supplies:
Which had been one section in the Ministry of Health known as the Medical
Stores, was developed to the Medical Supplies subordinate to the Ministry of
Health, then a General Board subordinated to the Ministry of Finance and
MOH. It had been an autonomous organization after Dutch expertise study in
1991 became an autonomous public organization and organized as in figure
(25). (CMSPO-1991)
Training
General relations
Secretary &
communications
Mechanical
Electronics
Furniture
Spare parts
Then it had been later organized to five directorates:
1- Drug affairs 2- Storage directorate 3- Administration and finance
a. Needs assessment. a. Clearance. a. Accounts.
b. Quality control. b. Inspection and receipt. b. Purchases.
c. Sales. c. Inventory control. c. Administrative affairs
d. Computer. d. Warehouses. d. Personnel affairs.
e. Requisitions. e. Shipping and deliveries. e. Training.
4- Medical workshop.
5- Internal auditing.
xcii
In 2003, new directorates had been implemented:
1- General Directorate for Planning, Researches, Statistics and Training.
2- General Directorate for Total Quality.
3- States.
4- Purchases.
5- Marketing and Sales.
6- Financial and Administrative Affairs.
7- Storage and Transportation. 8- Medical Technology.
But, both the CMSPO and the RDF do not give attention to the drug use,
prescribing and dispensing. Their role stopped on deliveries. They are not
responsible for drug expiration at the health facilities, pricing, storage and
inventory records.
The organization of the SMC may be compared with the following:
5.2.3.3 USA Army: The pharmacy corps was established in 1942. The medical
service had been consolidated with the pharmacy corps in 1947. The medical
service corps is divided into four sections:
1- Pharmacy and supply. 3- Optometry.
2- Sanitary and engineering. 4- the medical allied sciences.
The last apothecary achieving the pharmaceutical service of the States Army has
passed the job for pharmacists at 1934. (Skalqut- 1985)
5.2.3.4 The British Army: In the Royal Army Medical Corps, there are the
Royal Army Pharmaceutical Agency, Hospital Pharmacy and the Fighting
Operation Stock Maintenance. Pharmacists work in short service commissions
that renewed every three years, the pharmacists transfer from one division to
another under the command of the Royal Army Medical Corps
Headquarter.(Adcock-2000 ).
5.2.3.5 Malaysia organization of pharmaceutical supply: A mixed model: a
central coordinate division of logistics. Maintaining the functions of the
selection and procurement centrally and distribution and control of use
individually. This achieves economic saving and staff specialization in
procurement. (MDS-1997)
Malaysia organization of pharmaceutical supply: -State Pharmaceutical
Laboratories and Stores. (SPLS) – have major 4 divisions: -
(1) Production units.
(2) Medical stores.
(3) School of dispatching.
(4) Quality control laboratory.
Medical stores handle purchasing, port clearance, warehousing, inventory
control and dispatching headed by a pharmacist and 3 pharmacists for
supervisory functions.
5.2.3.6 The Arabian Army- Jordan:
xciii
The pharmaceutical service was divided into four departments. All of them are
directly subordinated to the manager of the RMS in the same managerial level
with Hossain Medical City which constitutes four hospitals. Fig (26)
The health insurance is a unit in the Financial Affairs Department.
xciv
Organizational Chart of the JRMS
Chief of Staff Deputy- Human Resources
Royal Medical Service Manager
FinancePharmacy Stores
Field Purchase Supply Hussien Etc.
Medicine Dep.
Dep. Med.City
9 Budget Accounts
Local Pharmacy Tools Iman H.
Hospitals Drugs
Computer Consumables Farah H.
H.I. 50 Import Drugs i.v. fluids
chemicals Equipment Hussein H.
Clinics
premiums
consumables
Tender Expired Heart H.
8 board sutures
Revenue
Dispense dental
Lab.reag.
quarantine
spares
xcv
2.3.7 The basis of Organizing of the Pharmaceutical Services in the
Sudanese Army. The followings are the general basis:
1) The life span required was long-life lasting service.
2) Activities performed in the Sudanese Medical Corps, all the military areas
covered by the Sudanese Army. Extended national and international duties.
3) Specialty: Pharmaceutical service.
4) Uniformed pharmacists are appointed for the task.
5) All available technologies are required to be incorporated.
6) Considering the geographical, military environment, the different climates
in the Sudan and different transportation routes.
7) The available resources, the Takaful premiums, governmental support and
finally the NFDMS resources.
5.2.4 Assessment :
The pharmaceutical service organization could be assessed as follows:.
1. The pharmaceutical activities was scattered among the services of the MHI
and the investment companies of the NFDMS.
2. The pharmaceutical activities are not joined together in any way. The
pharmacists in different position are not organized in one unit, their
responsibilities, authorities are completely different from their military ranks and
professional experience.
3. There is no pharmacy department and no senior pharmacist, which is against
the military discipline and the professional ethics and management principles.
4. Pharmacists in different positions have different salaries, different facilities
regardless of the military ranking or the professional experience.
5. The organization of the pharmaceutical services in PAF did not recognize the
Specialization principle. The manager of the supply had been once a radiologist,
dentist and surgeon.
6. Civilian pharmacists are working in the field of military service in Takaful
and war operations supply in NFDMS while military pharmacists are working in
the market managing two drug companies.
7. There was no transfer of experience among the military pharmacists.
8. Coordination between these different sectors is in a narrow range always
there is a need for the headquarter interventions.
9. The supply pharmacists were convinced that lower prices than those of
NFDMS companies could be obtained.
10. In spite of the same clients who are the military patients, the same health
provide, the same deductibles but there are two systems for supply for those in
the war areas and those at the peaceful cities, the former depend upon the army
budget.
11. Unity of command for the whole pharmaceutical sector is not existing.
12. The chain of flow of command, the chain of authority, all the pharmaceutical
activities are not positioned as a subordinate to the leader either in the NFDMS
or the medical corps headquarter.
xcvi
13. The organizational structure is available for both the Takaful and NFDMS,
but arranging their pharmaceutical activities in one line of authority is not
existing.
14. Written procedures between these sectors are essential for all decisions.
15. Due to different status of pharmacists, in that irregular and disordered
system lead to a feeling of discontent due to inequitable situations. The military
discipline and line of authority had been broken down in spite of the fact that all
armies strongly adopt line of authority type of organization.
16. To do team work, the feeling equity should always be kept in mind.
5.2.4.1 The supply unit:
Being a central unit, central stores on the basis of health insurance program that
providing the service and drugs, get the following disadvantages:
1) Managed Care Health Insurance, lowers the quality of care for the service,
(Quick-1997, Simerat-2000), however efforts were divided in managing the
finance, providing the health services, issuing the subscribers cards, collecting
deductibles and premiums, contracting for the service and drugs in different
regions and pharmacies, personnel and security, control and follow up, and
managing the drug supply, spontaneously this will lower the quality and
decrease the specialty.( Quick-1997),(Simerat 2001).
2) Among these responsibilities, efforts can not be concentrated or focused to
the supply interventions and problems.
3) Being away from the center of command, the image, attitude and
interventions of the pharmaceutical sector will be faint and non-active profession
ship.
4) The hospital pharmacies were out of the supervision of the Central Supply
Unit. (no technical supervision).
5.2.4.2 Constraints:
1- One of the great constraints for the supply unit, is the monthly allocation to
cover the monthly needs.
2- Central Warehouses supplying the whole country realize the difficulty in
transport and exposing drugs to the climatic conditions for many days.
3- Bulk procurement could not be achieved to obtain lower prices.
4- Rigidity of procedures; lack of chance to sell excess stock or unneeded items
or nearly expired drugs. This is due to the formal procedures of such cases.
5- Contracting for service on one hand and contracting for drugs from the retail
pharmacies yields a considerable loss of resources.
In all cases an autonomous or semiautonomous drug supply can work efficiently
and effectively. A proposal was constructed by the Deputy of the Medical
Supply. He formulated it as a medical supply and manufacturing corporations, a
military organization excluding the two NFDMS companies; shifting the
manufacturing plant of the NFDMS to this corporation. Financing is supposed to
be shared among different organizations and it is supposed to be commanded by
the Council of Ministers according to the act 1976. This needs difficult
procedures. Financial difficulties will persist and the long chain procedures will
xcvii
not be lasted. Employees will suffer the same conditions. The proposal was built
on the recommendation of the annual conference of commands.
xcviii
5.3 Selection of Drugs :
01 Anaesthesia 10 13 Diuretics 4
02 Analgesic,anti-inflammatory/ 12 14 GIT 36
gout
03 Anti-bacterial drugs 49 15 Hormones and related 21
04 Antiparkinsonism and psychiatric 22 16 Immunoglobulins 9
drugs
05 Antifungal 6 17 Muscle relaxants & 6
06 Antihistamine 4 18 Narcotics 4
07 Antimalarial drugs 9 19 Ophthalmologic 16
08 Antiprotozoal, 8 20 Respiratory tract 15
09 Antisera 10 21 Vaccines 10
10 Blood components 11 22 Vitamins minerals 14
11 Cardiovascular drugs 30 23 x-ray film and fluids 10
12 Dermatological drugs 23 24 ENT 5
347
2- Lab. Reagents and kits = group 50 : 109 item
3-Dental requirement:
They are eight groups containing 141 items.
4-27 items for environment sanitation.
5-Surgical and medical equipment into 9 groups.
They are nine groups containing 97 items.
Items were numbered for the therapeutic group for the first two positions, 4 positions for the number of
the item within the pharmacological group, and the last two positions for the dosage form and the
concentration.
All item names were in generics. No brand names were used, or mentioned.
5.3.1.3 Selection of drugs for the year 2003:
Preparatory phase :
The Supply Department, announces all departments to define their demands for
the year. Most of them did not respond positively. However, within the level
xcix
and activities of the pharmacists of the drug supply the new list had been settled
for the purposes of the proposed tender.
The 2003 tender ledger
(1) Drugs : 344 items.
(2) X-ray : 22 items.
(3) I.V fluids : 15 items.
(4) Disinfectant : 4 items.
(5) Dressings : 9 items.
(6) Sutures : 40 items.
(7) Dental : 78 items.
(8) Surgical equipment : 152 items.
(9) Dental x-ray : 20 items.
Table (8 ) 2003 Drug list according to the Tender of the Takaful :
Group Therapeutic groups Number of Number of
items1999 items2003
1- Anaesthesitics 12 14
2- Analgesic, antipyretic, antinflamma and gout 22 20
3- Antibiotics 53 63
4- Antiepleptics, antiparkinsonism &Psychiatric 37 39
5- Antifungal drugs 8 15
6- Antiallergy drugs 5 6
7- Antimalarial drugs 9 10
8- Antiportozoal drugs 8 14
9- Blood component 10 15
10- Cardiovascular drugs 24 38
11- Dermatological preparations 30 39
12- Diuretics 2 3
13- ENT preparations 5 9
14- GIT drugs 22 30
15- Hormones, endocrine and related drugs 17 30
16- Immunoglobulins 5 9
17- Muscle relaxant and cholinesterase inhibitors 5 8
18- Narcotics 2 5
19- Ophthalmologic preparations 27 32
20- Respiratory tract drugs 11 15
21- Vaccines 14 10
22- Vitamins and minerals 1 20
23- Potassium Salts 7 1
24- Contrast media and lubricants 8
26- X-ray 11 13
27- Empty Bags 1 1
360 items
Military Drug Formulary like that of JRMS, could not be achieved and consequently treatment guidelines
could not be issued without establishing a higher therapeutic committee. Defining prescribing levels,
health facilities levels and setting regulations could be achieved through the activities of an authorized
council. This situation may be compared with the JRMS.
5.3.2.5 Drug selection at the JRMS :
General policy : Any item should not be available at any military health facility if it is not registered by
the Therapeutics Military Higher Committee . The Therapeutics Military Higher Committee :
The TMHC was launched by the RMS manager , structured from all departments , chaired by the Internal
Medicine Head Department .The duties , responsibilities and authorities are defined in the same command
. The senior pharmacist is the chief in duty and the Pharmacy Directorate Manager of the JRMS is the
secretariat of the committee . The decisions of the TMHC are unnegotiable and the staff willingly obey. It
regulates the pharmacy activities
5.3.2.6 International Recommendation :
The recommendation stated by the American Society of Health System Pharmacist and that issued
by the workshop of the Sudanese Hospital Pharmacists states that : The multiplicity of drug availability
and the complexities surrounding their safe and effective use, make it necessary for hospitals to have
organized sound program for maximizing rational use of drugs, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics
Committee is the organizational keystone for this program( Quick-1997).
5.4 Procurement of Drugs
5.4.1 Procurement of drugs in the Sudanese Medical Corps:
All procurement procedures took place at the Supply Unit. The same committee that decides the selection of
drugs, prepares the procurement list and determines the quantities of drugs also carries on the procurement
activities.
There was no written policy statement, but generally, the purchasing regulatory statement- 2003 directing to
obtain a good quality drugs in the best possible prices. Only registered drugs were allowed. It had been stated
ci
as a directive for the committee. Quantities should cover the whole year. There were no directives to
- There was no document statement, but inclusively, the objectives are to acquire quantities to cover the
annual consumption of drugs for all regions.
- Expending the available funds.
5.4.1.2 Model of the supply system:-
5.4.1.3 Quantifying drugs: Quantities are determined at the central warehouse level based on the annual
consumption, only adjusted for the available stocked quantities. Morbidity data was not available and of no
value at any site of Medical Corps. Consumption patterns for the regions was not accurate, undependable and
the records were poor. The only way to determine quantities was that obtained on calculating the quantities
issued in the bin card for the whole year QY – (minus) the quantities in stock Qs .= quantity required Qs
QT = (QY- Qs)
Safety stocks :
Named as the critical stock, it is the reorder level .The minim reorder level, critical stock and safety stock are
the same.
stock
ciii
At the SMC the Procurement Committee members are from the supply staff who
select the list, adjudicate the bids and lastly receive the goods.
This leads to repetition of procedures, any mistake could not be discovered,
opportunities for self interest and domination of personal opinions was present
unlike at JRMS, where, not more than one member of the committee was
allowed to be a member in another committee.
5.4.2.1 Procurement Policy and objectives:
The statement highlights the long and short term aims. It represents the overall guide
for the activities. The objectives stated by WHO for procurement are suitable to be
applied within the SMC field.
5.4.2.2 The model Procurement system:
In spite of the great advantages of the autonomous and semiautonomous
procurement systems, the procurement system in SMC is still the old one. Health
insurance of the managed care type providing services and drugs. This type is
widely opposed even in providing the health service.(Quick- 1997, Simerat -
2001). The procurement system in JRMS is a CMS type with a semiautonomous
character, but the health insurance is a unit in the Financial Directorate of the
RMS.
5.4.2.3 Quantification:
The quantification of drugs depends on the consumption records of the bin card
at the Central Warehouse.
1. This did not calculate the items that were not listed.
2. This did not calculate the shortage at the peripheries, the shortage at the
out lets and theft, spoilage and waste.
3. The high percentage of contracted pharmacies contribution.
4. It did not consider the lead-time, outbreaks, theft, spoilage and waste.
5. On practicing this method, calculating the total cost of the estimated
quantities is essential, because the actual demands in money-wise could be used
to advocate for enough budget.
6. One month safety stock is not enough, WHO stated three months for the
CMS and a total of 25 months to fill the pipeline.( Quick-1997).
7. The reordering level is different from the SS because, it calculates the lead
time plus The SS.( Fig.16)
Quantification of drugs at the JRMS is through direct surveying of the utilization
of drugs at the outlets taking the experience of the health provider and the
pharmacist there, being responsible for the quantities he had determined.
However many factors can affect this method.
1- Changing the staff of prescribers.
2- Changing the treatment pattern by the same prescriber.
3- Introduction of new drugs.
Morbidity method: - It could not be used because:
civ
Data is not available.
There is no effective statistical unit.
Data obtained by Takaful Statistical Units did not consider disease and
ages. The forms of the statistical data collection did not include
diseases and age range.
It considers only patient attendance which indicates the work load. It
did not include patient expenditure or prescription expenditure.
Physicians rarely write the diagnosis.
The road map for acceptable quantification is to estimate the quantities at the outlets
and proper continuous monitoring. Then establishing a reliable inventory and
morbidity records for the future quantification.
5.4.2.4 Procurement methods:
The government regulations that state the methods of procurement.. The
Financial and Accounting Procedures Regulatory Act 1995, chapter 8-56 to 65,
regulate the methods of purchasing and contracting. It states the followings:
1-The open tender is an obligation.
2-Restricted tender in:
a) Emergencies.
b) Only known source items, where open tender can not bring out
competition, but a prequalification report should be kept for bidders.
3-Direct purchases only in the following cases:
a- Single supplier.
b- Technical reasons.
c- Protocols.
Any direct purchase should be reported and the reasons should be stated and
approved by higher authority to avoid corruption and self-interest.
The procurement method in SMC is a mixture of:
a. Direct purchases for the last two years.
b. Open tender and direct purchases for the year 2003.
The open tender failed due to financial obstacles, and then drugs were directly
purchased, again like the last two years.
The total value of five deliveries to five war areas for one month in the year
2001 calculated by direct purchase price = 235% of its cost calculated by the last
tender price.
Prices obtained after the failure of the tender 2003 equal 150% of those obtained
by the tender.
The Military Financial Affairs used to issue directives for the purchasing
methods, which adopt the purchases through tenders and wise competitions.
cv
The JRMS used to open a biannual international tender. Restricted tenders are in
a narrow range and direct purchases are forbidden.
In Malaysia additions and deletions to meet the basis of demands for
government hospitals and health services depend upon drugs offered by CMS.
When they wish to direct purchase, pharmacist involved must request a
clearance certificate to allow him to buy directly.7000 items in kardexes, daily
issuing and receiving, scheduled indenting system, annual consumption is
requested from the states. Availability of skilled and expert pharmacist and
personnel leadership, good communication system, reliable supply information,
adequate financial and material resources are factors of success in Malaysia.
5.4.2.5 The tender process:
The practice of adjudication is formal, however the National Regulatory Act
1995 describes the official steps to practice tendering. The commitment of the
Army Chief of Staff must be written. They should be involved in all the
procedures- and sign all the papers regarding the process to gain the army
headquarter commitment. The lack of political commitment and military support
of tender lead to unavailability of finance resulting in the tender failure.
Continuous direct purchasing will lead to the system collapse.
5.4.2.5.1 Reviewing the selection list:
At the SMC the list is prepared in informal, non- obligatory character. The
opinions and demands of physicians are not stable. Additions depend on the
individual physician pressure on the procurement unit. The Supply Directorate
can add or delete any drug. This results in prescribing unavailable drugs leading
to prescription referring to the contracted pharmacies, which constitutes 45%-
50% of the total drug expenditure.
In studying1013 prescriptions at the center, the Public Pharmacy contribute to
about 82% of the total cost of these prescriptions for one working week.
5.4.2.5.2 Reconciling needs and funds:
There may be no available budget to finance the tender, and this usually leads to
failure. The total expenditure should firstly be calculated, the financial
resources secured, reconciled and adjusted then asking for bids. This what
usually takes place in JRMS as in their procurement cycle.
5.4.2.5.3 Choosing the procurement method:
All demands are mentioned in one ledger.
Drugs assumed to be purchased from the CMSPO like narcotics, anesthetics,
muscle relaxants, immunoglobulins, vaccines and antisera should be in a
separate book and no need to loose time because no company can participate in
these categories.
Drugs locally manufactured by the Army Plant were included in order to
determine the lowest prices, where one company can trick by lowering the prices
of these item as they can suggest the army factory should provide them, so the
cvi
prices of these items could be negotiated with the plant and a contract defining
the quantities, prices and dates of delivery may be acceptable.
Domestic drugs were not separated in a separate tender according to World
Bank, WHO recommendations, the native principles and the general directives
of the government in supporting the domestic industries.
5.4.2.5.4 Prequalification of suppliers:
Although prequalification of suppliers is internationally recommended but there
are no records for suppliers. The supplier performance monitoring card is useful
if applied perfectly.
M J M O N
onth an eb arch pr ay un uly ug ept ct ov ec
Reviewed select
Evaluation
Document
preparation
offers
list
Select supplier
and
and
and
check supplier make
and
notify
make
Close up tender
and approve result
check supplier
supplier
Receive
Receive
Receive
Receive
2nd year
Winner
payment
payment
t
contract
check
cycle
cviii
5.4.2.6 Drug Expenditure Analysis:
(1) VEN system:
Classification of drugs into vital, essential and non-essential require
committee efforts.
(2) ABC analysis:
This analysis is not known within the system. For practice, ABC analysis
for the tender 2003 in (chart1 ).
1- All items were entered Excel sheet, the unit prices and
quantities. Every drug was numbered.
2- The total value for every drug is obtained.
3- The percentage of every value to the total value is
calculated.
4- The percentage is sorted in descending manner.
5- In another column of the work sheet the accumulated
percentages for all drugs were obtained.
6- On plotting the items against the accumulated percentage
a curve was obtained.
This provides the following results:
1. Only 45 items consume 70% of the total expenditure- A.
2. The next 35 drugs represent 15%of the total expenditure.-
B.
3. The remaining items represent only 15% -C.
Actions should be made to category A :
a- Setting regulations.
b- Controlling consumption and inventory records.
c- Increasing security measures.
d- Looking for alternative procurement methods to obtain
lower prices.
e- Introducing therapeutic constituents of lower prices.
120
Accumalative percentage
100
80
60
40
20
0cix
519
482
445
408
371
334
297
260
223
186
149
112
75
38
Item s
Therapeutic Category Analysis,
cx
7/ Again hormones appear in an inferior position. By group analysis for the
hormones and related substance it had been found that hydrocortisone
represents the peak in expenditure, (chart 7) the observation is that such price
is very high, another method for procuring this item should be practiced.
cxi
( Chart 3 )Therapeutic Category Analysis
1- Antibiotics.
2-I.V Fluids. 1
3- Hormones. 2 Therapeutic category analysis X-ray
4- X-ray. 3
5- Analgesics. 4 corrected
6- Antimalarials 5
7-Vitamines. 6
8- Psychiatric 7
9-Dressings. 8
10- GIT. 9
11- R T drugs 10
12-Ophth. Prepar 11
13-Dermatologic 12
14-Anaethesia 13
15- Haematinics 14
16-Cardiovascula 15
17-Antiprotozal 16
17 1
18-Antihistamine
19-ENT 18
20-Dental materi 19
21-Misalleneous 20
21 2
X-ray 3
cxii
( Chart 4)Therapeutic Category Analysis after Correction
300000000
250000000
200000000
Millions
SD
150000000
100000000
50000000
0
Ophthalmological
Dermatological
A ntif ungal
ENT
V itamins&
Endocrine&
Muscle
Blood
A ntimalaria
A naesthesia
Dental materials
surgical sutures
A ntibiotics
-Ray &
X
therapeutic category
cxiii
( Table 10 ).Therapeutic categories Expenditure.
Therapeutic Category Analysis. Tender 2003.
SD
No. Therapeutic Category millions Percentage Accumulative %
1 Antibiotics 274.99 31.48 31.4894749
2 I.V. Fluids 124.97 14.31 45.7994749
3 Endocrine and related drugs 77.86 8.91 54.7094749
4 X-ray and contrast media 59.5 6.81 61.5194749
5 Analgesic,antiinflammatory and gout 52.86 6.05 67.5694749
6 Ntimalarial drugs 42.67 4.88 72.4494749
7 Vitamines and Minerals 41.52 4.75 77.1994749
8 Psychatric drugs 29.01 3.32 80.5194749
9 Dressings and disinfectants 25.28 2.89 83.4094749
10 GIT 22.6 259 342.4094749
11 Respiratory tract drugs 22.35 2.56 344.9694749
12 Ophthalmologic prepatations 21.29 2.43 347.3994749
13 Dermatological preparations 14.62 1.67 349.0694749
14 Anaethesia 11.42 1.3 350.3694749
15 Blood components 10.67 1.222 351.5914749
16 Cardiovascular drugs 8.23 0.94 352.5314749
17 Antiprotozoal drugs 794 0.9 353.4314749
18 Antihistaminic drugs 5.61 0.64 354.0714749
19 ENT 4.9 0.56 354.6314749
20 Dental materials 4.4 0.5 355.1314749
21 Misalleneous drugs 4.11 0.47 355.6014749
22 Antifungal drugs 3.8 0.43 356.0314749
23 Diuretics 1.25 0.14 356.1714749
24 Surgical sutures 0.68 0.07 356.2414749
25 Dental sutures 0.63 0.07 356.3114749
26 Muscular relaxants 0 0 356.3114749
27 Immunoglobulins 0 0 356.3114749
28 Narcotics 0 0 356.3114749
Total 873.272452
cxiv
( Chart 5 )Accumulated Percentage of Therapeutic Categories
120
100
Ac c u m a la tive
80
60
40
20
0
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
Therapeutic category
2,000,000
1,500,000
x pe nditure
cxv
1,000,000
6.5.5.1 Price Analysis:
A study of 30 items chosen by cluster method across the therapeutic
groups, and stratification method based on the rate of movement to calculate the
IMAT and price indicator, yields the following results:
(1) 13.3% of the sample was from the Army Drug Plant where the prices
are the same as the tender.
(2) 10% of the sample, the tender price and direct purchase price are
almost equal, it had been found they were domestic drugs.
(3) Four items of prices lower than that of the tender, it had been found
they are from the CMSPO.
¾ One item price increased by 66.6%
¾ One item price increased by 281.9%
¾ One item price increased by 800%
¾ One item price increased by 1,187.8%
That the total value based on the quantity in the tender, the cost of the tender is
65,700,000 SD and the cost calculated by the CMSPO prices is 8,352,000 SD.
That the cost according to CMSPO prices is 13.7% that of the tender.
(4) One item newly introduced to the system, after scientific lecture of
the drug company, price increased from the first direct purchase by
5% (single source).
(5) One item was not listed in the tender ledger.
(6) One item basic unit was not definite.
(7) 53.3% the sample the prices were higher than those of the tender.
Table (11 ): The tender prices and direct purchases prices.
cxvi
Ite Quantity Direct Total value Tender Total value Unit tender price to
m purch price the direct price %
ase
1 400.000 25 10.000.000 4 1600.000 16%
2 2.000 917 1.834.000 270 540.000 29.4%
3 400.000 6.5 2.600.000 3.2 1.280.000 49.23%
4 100.000 11 1100.000 8.6 860.000 78.18%
5 1600 1043 1.668.800 396 633600 37.96%
6 3000 275 825.000 91.5 274500 33.3%
7 80.000 17.4 1.392.000 7.4 592.000 42.5%
8 50.000 26 1.300.000 6.4 320.000 24.6%
9 1000.000 8.03 8.030.000 6.42 6420000 80%
10 2000.000 3.7 7.400.000 1.8 3600.000 48.6%
11 30.000 75 2.250.000 6.1 183000 8.13%
12 900.000 37 33.300.000 30 27000000 81%
13 50.000 1000 50.000.000 507 25.350.000 50.7%
14 2.500.000 8.5 21.250.000 7 17.500.000 82.3%
15 60.000 100 6.000.000 35 2100.000 35%
16 700.000 6 4.200.000 2.5 1.750.000 41.66%
153.149.800 90.003.100 Mean = 46.16%
(1) The tender item price equal to 46.16% of its direct purchase price.
(2) Direct purchase expenditure = 170.16% of the tender.
cxvii
Chart 7 ) Direct Purchase and Tender
Prices 2003
1200
Direct
1000
Price 800
in SD
Tender
price
600
400
200
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Drugs
5.8 Distribution
5.8.1 Distribution hierarchy:-
There are two distribution systems existing: -
War areas supply system. .
Health insurance supply system.
Each have medical stores different from each other and sometimes overlaps in at the central level or at the
utilization level. Both are within the same area. Having one administrative unit sometimes and two
different units in others.
Each of them distributes drugs in sunlight rays model. The Centre is supplying all the points except in rare
cases in the war areas.
The Central Medical Stores are supplying different levels of health services .
No other medical supplies stores at the regions .
cxx
5.8.2 Stores :
Type of the stores:-
Manual warehouses using shelves and to a lesser extent pallets .
There are no machine or mechanical devices in receipt, handling, issuing and delivering procedures.
5.8.2.1 Physical Structure:
Location & site :-
At Omdurman City within the Medical Corps compound. Being the
central medical stores, they are dealing with the army requirements for the
whole country. Fig (27 ).
Design:-
Old hunger type buildings, the roof is metal, walls in bricks in concrete
parcels and the columns appeared in a good condition. Except the store of
Takaful which is metallic and covered by fibrous wooden material.
Size:-
All height are 4 meters .
1) Building B1 “ Drug stores: 2021 m3
2) Building B2 Equipments:- 952 m3.
3) Building B 3 Dressing and fluids: -952 m3.
4)Building B4 Sanitary stores: 650 m3.
5)Building B5 Takaful medical stores :
B5: a- Drugs 17 x6 x3.5 meters =357 m3
B5 b- office and delivery 7 x8 x3.5 =196 m3.
B5 c: Dressings and feuds: 8 x8 x3.5 =224 m3.
B5 d- Equipment = 8 x 10 x 3.5 =280 m3. Total =1057 m3
6)B6 Takaful new warehouse B6 18 x 45 x the whole building but it was divided into sections. The
storage area is 25 x18 x4 m3 =1800 m3.
cxxi
5.8.2.2 Storage Conditions :
A-Takaful warehouses
1-Cold chain : Crowded refrigerators of the household type,
2-Temperature ; All air conditioners are in good condition, but there are no temperature records and
no thermometer.
3-Facilities : No mechanical tools nor semi mechanical devices.
All activities took place manually.
4-Shelves: Arranged in a small area and it is crowded .
5-Pallets: None
6-Arrangement of drugs :
Drugs were arranged according to the stock code on shelves.
7-Aeration : There are no windows and exhaust fans.
8- Security measures: No fire preventions alarms and no fire fighting measures.
B- Actions medical Warehouses
1-B1, B2, B3, B4, The concrete is good. The roofs are in need of rehabilitation. The air coolers are not in
work.. The temperature exceeds 35co.
They are completely empty.
Communications:-
There are no telephones, the internal lines had been removed.
Inspection :
Annual audit by the Army General Inspector, they always revise the financial and managerial procedures,
taking physical stocks.
They audit the cards and cut the stock .
5.8.2.3 Staff:-
Takaful :
Only one civilian pharmacist at the stores level. The rest of the staff are storekeepers and labors. Clerks
on the inventory records.
Actions section:
The manager is an apothecary (a brigadiers 36 working years ). The staff
was frustrated because they were underpaid and hoping to transfer to
Takaful or the Plant. No facility devices were there.
B7 Medical gases store: Located within the clerk office. It needs to be
transferred to another building. It serves both sections.
5.8.2.4 Receiving Procedures:- The store keeper receives the orders,
compares the quantities with the invoice, and fills the form 12C ( Annex.I)
and deliver to the inventory record and the manager to sign it. Then send to
supply manager to be entered in the computer item page .This is due to the
direct purchase where the only regulations and specifications are quantities
and payment .
cxxii
Prices were recorded only at Takaful supply in the unit price by the
accountant .
During the tender 1999, all order files were sent to the different stores to
check the quantities against order and checking the specification. A
committee was in charge, but files had not been opened . The committee
did not continue it’s work. .
Committees were called on rare cases when there was indistinct receipt.
The receipt and , delivery areas are within or next to the shelves and the
refrigerators.
As all purchases were from the local market no discrepancies we reported .
Invoices are in trade and brand names. Expiry dates were checked and
reported. The invoices are according to the company packing for the
market, while the T.O.C or ( 12C) or the receipt document the items were
written in trade name and quantities in the basic unit .The expiry dates
sometimes were not recorded in the T.O.C (12C) because there was no
position previously printed for this issue .
Some labels of containers did not state the quantity inside .The invoices
do not explain directly the unit price but the packet price. The batch
number was not stated in the invoices. The T.O.C of 3 copies; One for the
computer, another for the inventory control and the third copy for the
general file.
5.8.2.5 The Warehousing Procedures : Each item was placed in its
location .Bulk stocks were kept near its cell with a sample in the cell .
1-Stock numbering:-
The first two positions for the pharmacological groups . The second for the
number of the item within the therapeutic category . The last two numbers
for the concentration and dosage form . The numbers were written in cards
and placed in the cell . Cell cards, were not used for recoding the
transactions.
2- The bin card:- ( Annex.2) Shows the quantity , the item name and
number, additions and subtractions using FEFO system.
Dressing and fluids posses code numbers while equipment were not .
Equipment were categorized into groups, according to the utilizing department.
Drugs that needs a controlled temp. were placed in the refrigerator but there were no thermometers.
Narcotics were kept in a locked cupboard .To be opened only by the storekeeper who was not a
pharmacist .
3- Issuing:-
Pull system, for each health facility a request (Form 47 ) ( Annex.3) was filled in three copies prepared
and approved by the pharmacist in Takaful Warehouses, sent to the storekeeper who filled the quantity
issued, subtract the quantity and record in the bin card and send it to the accountant to calculate the cost.
The accountant returns it back to the storekeeper to prepare the quantities and delivery. Then he sends a
copy to the inventory clerk within the store and the other copy to the computer program unit.
cxxiii
Fig (28): Issuing cycle
Requisition
cxxv
5.8.3 Distribution
Network :
All health facilities at all levels were supplied directly from the Central Stores .
1-Central Region :- 2– States . 3-War Actions .
a-Centre . b- Peripheries
5.8.3..1 Capital region : Central outlets supplied weekly . Table ( 12 )
General pharmacies Surgical Theatres Departments
Referred Clinics Pharmacy Ahmed Gasim preparation . hospital senior nurse
Paediatric Hosp. Pharmacy “ “ anaesthesia. causalities “
In patient Pharmacy Arif general surgery preparation. Referred clinics “
Dental Pharmacy “ “ “ anaesthesia . Families hospital “
Psychiatric Pharmacy Shalali “ “ preparation. Paediatric “ “
Families Hos. Pharmacy “ “ “ anaesthesia. I.C.U. hospital
T.B. Pharmacy. Orthopaedic surgery preparation. peritoneal dialysis
Mohandiseen Health Center Pharmacy “ “ “ anaesthesia. Dental laboratory
Central Pharmacy Families hospital preparation. Blood Bank
“ “ “ “ anaesthesia. Laboratory headquarter
Dental surgery preparation. X. ray new unit
“ “ anaesthesia. Word X. Ray
ENT theatre preparation. MRI
Ophthalmic surgery preparation. Orthopaedic hospital.
“ “ “ anaesthesia.
Nur Eleyoun theatre.
Orthopaedics (II) preparation .
“ anaesthesia.
cxxvi
Malakal Hospital . New halfa (contract) . Buhur el.Kazal Region
Aweel Hospital . Halfaplant (contract). Upper Nile Region
Kosti “ . Shawak (contract). Darfour&SouthCordfan
Runuk “ . Gala.nakhal(contract) South . Blue Nile Areas
Ghitaina (contract ) Obeid Hospital . Moving Troops
Maloott(contract) Bara (contract). Training Camps
Demazin Hospital . Nehood (contract). Actions and Casualties
Singa Health Centre . Talodi Health Centre. Kasala
Sinar (contract). Dalang Health Centre. Gadarif
Medani Hospital. Kadogli Health Centre Girba
Hantoop Centre. Liri Health Centre. Fawo
Shendi Hospital . Babanosa Centre. Demazin
Atbara “ . Majulad Centre. Singa
Wadihalfa Centre. Higlig(civil hospital). Fashir
Dongla (contract). Ribkoona Hospital. Neyala
Duhba (contract). Lagawa Health Centre Genana
Marai (contract). Abugebaiha Centre. Raja Daim Zobcir Bazia
Bawarith Hospital. Abugabra Centre . Adaril- el Boonj
Salalab Centre. Alledhya Centre. Obeid ,Dalanj- Kodogli
Tokar Health Centre. Almairam Centre. Mojled ,West of Newair
Sinkat Hospital . Abyay Health Centre. Shendi
Jabit north Centre. Nyala Hospital . Petroleum guard Atbra
Jabit south Centre. Fashir Hospital. Abutilah
Dordiab Centre . Genana Hospital . All PAF divisions
Hlieb (planned). Zalinga (contract). Autonomous Brigades and
Battalions.
Kasala Hospital . Dhain (contract). Central Recruitment
Gadarif Hospital . Kotom (contract). IeddelFirsan contract
Gerba Hospital Kass (contract). Shendi
Aroma Centre Kubkabia (contract). Abutilah
5.8.4Transportation
All methods of transportation are in use .
5.8.4.1 Continuous transportation land lines:
classified according to the transportation land line:
1- Portsudan 7-Medani 10-Shendi 12-Obeid
2-Kasala] 8-Singa 11-Atbra 13-Dalang
3-Girba 9-Damazin 14-Abugeboiha
4-Godarif 15-Kosti
5-New Halfa 16-Kadogli
6-Foa
Shipping on buses; Passenger buses, lorries and trucks. Requisitions were received from Casi express (private
5-7 days to prepare the drugs and supplies. Received by the representative or by
the packing and shipping office , packed in cartons being bought from the
market, and sealed with plaster strip. Numbering the cartons, labelled by writing
on the carton and signing the pass voucher by the control and security
department, then in a metal box of 1.5 tons supplies were carried to the shipping
office at the Public Market .A private office was contracted for transportation.
5.8,4.2 Railways:-
Wadihalfa line and Bobanosa line in a journey of three days , supplies were there .
5.8.4.3 large Trucks and Airfreights :
Neyala , Genaina and Fashir .
cxxvii
5 days by land . 4 hours by air.
5.8.4.4 Regions Liaison Offices:-
1- Juba 2-Wau 3-Malakal 4-Ribkona 5-Aweil .
Supplies were transported by the salaries aircraft monthly accompanied by the regional representative,
transportation here was free.
ElDamazin Region, use to send a car to take the drugs issued by the war section and was not allowed to take the
Takaful supplies .
All are supplied in monthly intervals . When there are small quantities or laboratory reagents, they are delivered
by Casi express.
The expenses of the transportation annually consume about 5-7 million pounds paid by the centre to the
contracted office. The representatives were given 10,000 SD for each trip . When there is no representative the
papers were signed by the packing and shipping office. If there are any discrepancies, the facility manager
reports on the back of passing voucher and write a letter explaining the case. The office usually transport and
deliver the actions supplies by the same routes.
The supplies may wait at the warehouse after receipt for many days .
5.8.4.5 Transportation to Talodi , Liri and Lagawa:-
Tolodi and Lirie requirements were delivered to Abugebeha and then by lorry to Taiodi and Lirie . Lagawa
requirements may be delivered to Obeid where it is reshipped on a lorry to Lagawa .
5.8.5 Distribution Assessment :
5.8.5.1 Warehouses :
1-Location and site: It is suitable to be centered in the Medical Corps
Headquarter because:
1) Accessibility to all regions.
2)The load of work is at the centre.
3) Better communications.
4) Point of import.
5) Center of supplies.
6) Center of transportation routes to different regions.
7) More secured.
8) Better facilities.
9) Center of ministries and the army higher commands.
2-Design:
The medical warehouses are scattered on the area of the medical corps. In
an area of 6400m2. (Fig27 ) shows the buildings within the area. No boundary
walls. No entrance and gate- the whole area is open which may complicate the
control. The loss of image of the supply together with the uncontrolled roads
among the stores results in difficulty in control and management. It allows the
pass of walkers and small vehicles within the area.
B5 building being so far from the center of the stores near the
combustibles and the grade and car maintenance workshop, and floor workshop
and construction stores, an open area, a football field being a center of
aggregations.
B6 building within the area of the drug production plant which is the only
extension for the plant, that faces problems with the MOH to gain addition store
cxxviii
for the finished products and packaging materials to comply with GMP. The
plant had been blocked by this building on the other hand it is isolated from the
other buildings. An engineer can take the task, but a boundary wall according to
(Fig.27) surrounding buildings B1,B2, B3, B4 and B7 will result in an over of
6400m2, with a considerable storage area that will solve the problem.
In December 2003, the new Takaful Warehouse had been put in work,
blocking the production plant expansion and area required for a warehouse.
The plant could not be developed in its area and a threaten to be closed by
the Federal Pharmacy Directorate.
However, store B1,B2, B3 and B4 remaining without maintenance and
rehabilitation and nearly empty.
Most of the rubber consumables became rigid and completely spoiled
(1) the area of the need warehouse is = 18x25 = 450 m2 are a storage area.
(2) The area of B1, B2 ,B3 and B4
B1 = 13.5x38 = 513 m2
B2 = 8.5x28 = 23.8 m2
B3 = 8.5x28 = 23.8 m2
B4 = 6.5x25 = 162
1151 m2
5.8.5.2 Storage Conditions:
(Table 14 ) Temperature inside B1:
Month Morning Day
Min Max. Min. Max.
Feb 25ºC 30 ºC 27 ºC 32 ºC
March 28 ºC 31 ºC 30 ºC 33 ºC
April 34 ºC 42 ºC 36 ºC 43 ºC
May 37 ºC 41 ºC 39 ºC 42 ºC
June 32 ºC 36 ºC 40 ºC 44 ºC
July 33 ºC 35 ºC 40 ºC 43 ºC
It is clear that drugs inside this store are subjected to drastic storage
conditions which may affect the stability and therefore the validity of the stored
items. The warehouses contain no kind of operational facilities even the
thermometer.
The cold chain needs deep freezers and non-freezer refrigerator not the
household model.
5.8.5.3 Warehouses Procedures:
cxxix
1- Receipt:
- The absence of a receipt committee make errors in receipt, discrepancies and
corruption more probable.
- Receipt by trade names, without presenting the stock number led to miss
understanding of workers and inventory control clerks.
- Invoices from the companies also don’t point to the order of purchase,
generic name and the stock number, actually the suppliers do not receive a
written order.
- No receipt area or store like that of the Jordan RMS, the import store,
because no testing for quality took place in SMC. In JRMS there is a
receiving area and a committee with a check list .
Receipt Report:- in spite of being essential; the habits of direct purchase, cash
on delivery; receipt on invoice gave no chance for reporting. Discrepancies
usually corrected verbally. The form used for receipt is the same form used for
issuing and having the same color.
In all reviewed invoices, drugs are in trade names, no obligation or instruction
had been issued to use generic name, a matter leads to confusion of trade names
in the papers with the stock numbers of drug which had been set in generic
names. The receipt form is filled in basic units while the invoices were filled in
packet units. Expiration, batch number, unit price and package size all were not
included in the receipt voucher leading to inaccurate transactions, weak
monitoring of expired drugs and security breaches.
In JRMS, only generic names are allowed. A form of discrepancies with receipt
check list (Annex 14).
Receipt should be done by a committee on the basis of preprinted check list.
2-Issuing:
When client requisition arrived, it would be approved by the Warehouse
Manager who decides the quantities that could be delivered. On the basis of his
experience and then sends the approved request to the storekeeper who fills the
column of the issued quantity according to the stock level. Then he delivers the
papers to the accountant who calculates the cost and sends one copy to the
computer and two copies to the storekeeper.
In this cycle (1) The computer program works as an audit control.
It is 15-30 days later. It should be up-to-date.
(2) The Pharmacist; Warehouse Manager, decides the quantities without
knowing the actual stock; this result in the difference in the two columns,
quantity approved and quantity issued.
(3) Storekeeper issues different quantities from that approved
contradicting all regulatory rules of storekeeping specifically the Regulatory Act
of the Republic, as bias may happen and a good opportunity for theft.
cxxx
(4) No studies for the facilities consumption took place. In JRMS all the
process is computerized . Quantities is determined on an allocations basis which
opens the door for troubles in changing the orders.
3- Delivery :
No separate delivery area. The deliveries take place within the stock area
resulting in many theft cases. Confusion and overlapping of consignments to
different hospital usually take place.
4- Stock taking:- Stock is physically taken annually. Announced physical stock
taking will never report discrepancies, but unannounced stock taking or
periodical stock taking was not practiced.
5- Warehouses facilities:
No thermometers or scale balances, forklift or any sort of vehicles.
6- Inventory control: A clerk of the warehouse did not record the unit price and
expiration date in the card.
In JRMS where was a safety stock of two months and where the stock falls to
consumption of 6 month the recorder starts, calculate the lead time.
The reorder system should be installed in the computer program. The SS and the
LT should be calculated for each drug, at this point the order should start. All the
processes should be computerized.
7-Work load:
The annual filled requisitions at the warehouse were 2100-2400
requisitions. All facilities in the country request directly from the Central Stores
against all the organization regulation and hierarchy of organization disregarding
the army organizational structure..
For the center, weekly requisitions for all theaters and clinics, pharmacies
and patients wards, x-ray units and laboratories, at the same time hospitals and
moving troops. Large facilities and dispensaries, make a high load of work upon
the warehouse activities and staff. While in Jordan each facility takes their
allocations every 2 months. Regional stores are at the health facilities, in the
SMC there was 7-8 deliveries daily in other word one delivery every hour,
actually this could never be imagined else where.
5.8.5.4 Distribution Network
A total of 157 Stations were supplied from one central warehouse without
calculating the moving troops, emergencies and unscheduled requisitions and
unscheduled activities.
42 Stations weekly supply.
19 Stations at the central region monthly supply.
64 Stations scattered among the whole country supplied monthly.
cxxxi
32 Stations at the war areas supplied occasionally.
157 Stations constituting the network beside the moving troops and
emergencies.
1-Central Military Region:-
The center: 1/ Pharmacies 9 Stations.
Departments 14 Stations.
Theaters 19 Stations.
42 Stations Supplied weekly.
2/ Peripheries 19 monthly
2- States: Table (15 ) The States Distribution Network
Military area Center Supply
stations
1- Equatorial M. Area. Juba 1
2- Bahar el Gazal M. Area Wau 1
3- High Nile M. Area Malakal 1
4- White Nile M. Area Rabak 4
5- Middle M. Area Obied 8
6- Western M. Area Fashier 11
7- Northern M. Area Shendi 6
8- Eastern M. Area Faou 9
9- Blue Nile M. Area Damazin 3
10- Jazera M. Area Medani 2
11- Red Sea M. Area Port Sudan 8
12- Mojlad and west Newwair M. Area Ribkona 9
13- Aweel independent M. Area Aweel 1
Every station is independent from its neighbor or Military Area , it was
supplied directly from the central stores which results in a high load of work,
delay in supply and spoilage of drugs during transportation.
The stations should be gathered and correlated to the centre of their
military areas. The regional stores will be valuable.
Unlike JRMS where the last station is 300km from the centre. The Sea
Port AGABA is 110 km from the centre. In spite of this fact they deliver
consignments to the regional hospitals store in two months intervals. The
transportation to Neyala and Fashier expend a week by lorries where drugs are
subjected to high temperature and sunlight which may alter the quality.
cxxxii
Regional warehouses to be supplied every three months, directly
managing the supply operations and the logistic process at the region, maybe
preferable changing the hierarchy of distributions from sunrays model to
pyramidal model.
3- Actions:
The Equatorial Region consists of 35 supply Stations
The Buhar El Gazal Region consists of 33 supply Stations
The middle Military Area consists of 8 supply Stations
White Nile Region consists of 35 supply Stations
Red Sea Region consists of 8 supply Stations
Higher Nile Region consists of 22 supply Stations.
For all these factors regional stores and regional logistic unit is strongly
recommended.
5.8.5 Computer:
The program used is highly effective on reporting and audit process but
does not provide the stock for determining the quantities, making it of no value
to be used by the pharmacist who approve the quantities. The program was not
designed to calculate the cost of the transactions and the prices of drugs (
Annex.10 ) . At the JRMS the inventory control ,the distribution and the tender
process all are computerized.(Annex 11)
Computerizing the system will reduce the amount of papers. Only a
request form, then a computer invoice could be issued, cards may continue the
same procedures.
cxxxiii
expenditure. The frequency of these drugs among the regional needs had been
obtained by the aid of SPSS program.
The results is that,( Table 16).(Chart 9) Two drugs are common for all regions,
another eight drugs are common for seven regions. Twenty seven drugs are
required by two regions only.
On calculating the percentage of the frequency of each drug from the total
requirements, sorted in descending manner, then the accumulative percentage is
obtained. The result is that, 37 drugs constitutes 70% of the total needs,( Table
16). The next 17 drugs covers the next 15% and lastly 27 drugs represents only
15%.(Chart 10) These results almost complying the national standards. The 37
drugs are classified as follows:
1-Antibiotics ……………………..14 drugs.
2-Antimalrials……………………..5 drugs.
3-Vitamines and Haematinics……..5 drugs.
4-Analgesics……………………….4 drugs
5- GIT ………………………… 6 drugs
6-Antiallergy……………………….2 drugs
7- Sedative…………………………1 drug.
The use of antibiotics requires further studies.
This practice may be useful in the selection of drugs, quantification ,setting the
priorities and adjusting the budget.
cxxxiv
Drugs Frequencies on the regional demands ( Table 16)
cxxxv
(Chart 8 )Frequencies of Drugs
in the Regional Demands
3.5
3
Frequency
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5 cxxxvi
0
1 7 13 19 25 31 37 43 49 55 61 67 73 79
( Chart 9 ) Regional Demands of Drugs
Accumalated Percentage
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81
Items
5.9 Prescribing :
5.9.1 Prescribers:-
The physicians at the Central Region are from all medical professional levels.
They are subordinated to different employment categories, some are militaries, others are on the National
Service and civilians on contract. Many are on the Houseman ship and few are registrar.Table (17) illustrates the
situation.
cxxxvii
5.9.3 Inpatient Prevalence in nursing days :
Prevalence on 2000 is 133,802 Nursing days.
Prevalence on 2001 is 292,680 Nursing days.
5.9.4 Outpatients prevalence at different clinics :
Data obtained from Takaful Statistical Unit on the patients attendance at different clinics at the Centre (Table 18
) is then sorted and analyzed to get the mean prevalence per year (chart 11). The mean prevalence per month is
obtained from 10 months for the year 2003. The records for Surgery and Orthopedic are not available at that
time.
(Chart 11)
Clinic mean/month
1 W. Medicine 14009
2 W.Surgery 0
3 W.Orthopedics 0
Referred
4 Medicine 1562
5 Referred Surgery 766
Referred
6 Orthopedic 409
7 Ophthalmology 1548
8 Dermatology 676
9 ENT 725
cxxxviii
10 Urinary Tract 386
11 Officers Clinic 931
12 Paediatrics 6096
13 Chest 931
14 Dental 1996
15 Families 2874
16 Psychiatrics 0
cxxxix
9) Duplication : recorded .
10) Trade names : 95% in anther study 85.9% .
11) Dosages: recorded in antibiotics.
Ten prescriptions were written in green ink, one prescription 90000 SD , without diagnosis and physician
stamp . It was 30 Humegon amp.
One prescription containing 20 item of a total cost, 8040 SD.
One prescription value was 56250 SD .
One prescription converting isorbid trinitrite10mg sublingually as needed and 5mg b.d orally.
Amikacin inj dosage as one injection every other day .
One prescription, the duration of use for 6 months, issued in a cost of 20100SD
10 vials cefuroxime 750 mg in one trade name were dispensed in one issue to one out patient .Cardiovascular
drugs as digoxine , antihypertensive drugs were referred to the Public Pharmacy because they were not
available at the hospital pharmacy.
Peripheries of the capital can refer prescriptions to the Public Pharmacy in spite of being prescribed by
medical assistant .
5.9.7 Drug information resources :
The general resources of information on drugs are:
= Medical representatives.
= Consultant .
= Colleagues.
= Indexes (mimes).
= Textbooks .
= Bulletins and papers.
= Patient.
= Pharmacies.
5.9.8 Prescriptions forms:
Out patient .annex (5). In patient annex (6) . Casualties form annex (7) Chronic diseases follow up card ,
annex (8 ) .
- No need for the patient to revisit his physician .The patient can send the card with his relatives when the
drugs he used were finished .A new allocation was prescribed according to the doses of drugs written in
the card.
5.9.9 Inpatient doses :
A green form of prescription was filled ,waiting for the co-patient to buy the drugs in 25% bases from the
pharmacy .All prescribed doses was dispensed in one shoot .New drugs when added on the physician
round should be in a new green form , this form again was issued from the outpatient clinics from Takeful
officer.
5.9.10 Regulations of prescribing :
There was a talk about a Regulatory Guidance Booklet , but it is out of stock and it is not available in
practice .
-Except that it is known that more than 4 items is not allowed .
- Over 5000SD drug value should be approved by the pharmacist in the centre supply unit in the Takeful
of the capital area.
5.9.11 Assessment :
(1) The expenditure of the multivitamin and minerals group and
Haematinic preparations in the tender 2003 is 5.977%.
The expenditure of surgical sutures + diurects + ENT + antithistamine +
antihypertensive and cardiovascular drugs + ophthalmologic
preparations + antiprotozoal including metronidazole 5.713%.
This indicates the depletion of funds in unnecessary drugs. While the
antimalarials is 4.8%, the vitamins + the ferrous = 6%.
(2) Issuing a prescription form on patient registration before meeting
the physician, automatically there is a prescription. A prescription for every
form spontaneously there is a bill.
(3) The frontal position of the hormones and related drugs group in
tender analysis, the therapeutic category analysis indicates the use of high
risk drugs.
cxl
The problems in prescribing lie on five main points:
1) Dependence on civil employment, young doctors resident for
housemanship or recruited under the native act whom are untrained enough
to carry on the task.
2) System mismanagement.
3) Regulation settings.
4) Information induction.
5) Load of work.
None- stamped prescriptions is irrational prescribing and many civilian
doctors have no stamps. In 60% of the prescriptions, the diagnosis is not
stated indicating carelessness .Together with the spelling and dosage
mistakes, concentration errors indicate the lack of training.
Exchange of prescribed drugs at the public pharmacy to cosmetics
indicate the irresponsibility of the prescriber, the dispenser and the patient.
Over prescribing of vitamins, sweetening agents, cosmetics like
preparations, glucose diagnostic sticks, hair and skin care preparation, these
need a rigid regulations.
Work load:
About 50,000 outpatient per month, and 300,000 nursing days for the
inpatient is great burden on doctors and different pharmacies.
There are 70 military specialists, 14 are civilians. Every specialist care
about 650 outpatient and 4000 nursing days for the inpatient per month. 162
patients per week, 81 patient every clinic provided that the specialist has two
days per week. If one day weekly, 162 patient results in 3 minutes for every
patient and 1½ min. if working once weekly + 1000 nursing days weekly. The
Native Strategic plan point to 50 patients for every specialist.
This high load of work gave the image of irrational prescribing and
writing the prescription properly. ( Chart 11-12 )
Prescribing Regulations :
(1) The regulations usually issued, were easy to be forgotten or being unknown
to the most prescribers because of the frequent mobilization of 75% of the
prescribers who were house officer or native recruitment or registrars.
(2) The regulation issues seems to be a managerial commands of the supply
department, as it should be of higher authority and circulating continuously
and supported by the activities of the Drug Information Center.
(3) The list of drugs was not always available and difficult to be obtained even
on request.
(4) No treatment guidelines which is essential in training junior medical staff.
(5) Leveling of prescribers and drugs to be prescribed by the different health
practitioners levels seems to be managerial commands not restrictive and was
cxli
not in work. As these interventions should be part of the selection list issued
by a highly authorized committee.
(6) There was no limits for drugs to be dispensed, one month therapy was used
for chronic illness, but one can find prescriptions for 6 months treatment.
(7) For chronic diseases, where the patient was in certain drug treatment and
specific dose, and given a card (Annex 8 ) when declaring this, the patient
had no need to revisit the doctor, when the relative brings the card new cota
will be prescribed and dispensed. In this situation the patient dead or a life,
improved or need other drugs or other dose or any circumstances changed,
all these had not been regarded leading to irrational prescribing.
(8) All doctors write any drug under the name of their boss, the prescriber signs
for the unit of specialist supervising him. The specialist always endorse that
prescription because any patient seen by any doctor in his unit will increase
the specialist incentive, because incentives are based on the number of filled
prescriptions at the pharmacy. This in turn motivate the prescriber to write a
prescription on every form.
Forms: (a) The red form of the specialist:
(1) It is designed on the basis of political states but not for the military
areas. Which are not always the same.
(2) Stated that for external treatment (specialist) for the in patient
treatment.
(3) There is no serial number.
(4) Insurance number was used unlike JRMS where using the military
number which could never be repeated.
(5) Stating the hour of visit which not in use.
(6) The primary diagnosis rarely filled.
(7) The prescription form contains also the request for investigation,
results of investigations and values of drugs making it crowd.
(8) The value of drugs was usually collected by a voucher or receipt.
(9) At the tail of the long paper states the total of visit fees + investigation
fees + drug cost. It is designed for buying the service, investigations,
drugs and not for service and drug providing.
(10) Number of prescriptions required, issued but actually meaning
number of items.
(11) Lastly; payment by Takaful, patient, accountant signature and
health insurance officer approval. However, this sequence was not in
use, but if it is activated it may provide the expenditure per patient.
(12) The form is in 3 copies using carbon paper, one of which for the
patient, one for the pharmacy and the other for Takaful. High load of
papers for the prescriber.
(b) White form for the casualties, the same points were applied.
(c) Green form: for the inpatient but working like the outpatient form.
Forms are for drugs; not daily dose but the whole course of therapy.
cxlii
i. If the doctor need to add or change the treatment report, he had to
ask the co patient for new form.
ii. If the co patient is absent, the doctor round finished the patient will
receive the new treatment at once, till the co patient came, bringing a
form and searching for the doctor to fill it. Then to the pharmacy to bring
the whole drugs. While the inpatient is getting worse.
iii. The image of the service was not so compact and smooth. While the
patient at the Heart Center having a treatment sheet designed area
drug to the English Hospitals style where there is a special place to
prescribe the drug, to issue it from the pharmacy and the nurse who
gave the dose at its proper time, all should sign at a restrictive
place. A dose of 24 hours was issued (Annex 12)
(13) In JRMS house officers and paramedical were not allowed to write
a prescription.
(14) Drugs sellers activities should be organized and under the control of
the Drug Information Center.
(15) In JRMS winners pay for each item, but the insurers do not. Equal
payment for each item equalizes all drugs in price which is not true.
5.10 Dispensing :
Dispensing of drugs within the pharmacies of the Medical Corps could be
discussed from many sides of view, pharmacy practice, place, personnel,
procedures, financial aspects and medical services crop.
Pharmacies were the last stations of service before the patient go home.
5.10.1 Pharmacies at the Center of SMC :
Personnel:-
Military pharmacists within the central hospitals:
a. Lieutenant pharmacist Æpart time supply manager for Capital Region.
b. Captain pharmacist Æ causality ward pharmacy
c. Major pharmacist Æ referred clinics pharmacy.
The Major pharmacists were graduated as a pharmacist, 5 years after the
Captain and the lieutenant. The military rank is contradicting to the professional
experience. The remaining pharmacist are either under housemanship who were
graduated last year or on National Service. They work 2-3 days a week.
Native Service pharmacists are resident for 4-8 months while those on
horsemanship residency is 12 months.
No military pharmacist were in the regional hospital, fighting troops nor
war areas.
The Native Service Central Administration Office use to send pharmacists
for 4 months to Juba, Wau and in casualties to Kasala and Port Sudan. This took
place out of the supply system. The pharmacy assistants, who were trained on
the dispensing practices were the only support for the pharmacy service within
the medical corps.
Pharmacy laboratory:-
There are no laboratories, depending on Takaful production units.
Distribution of pharmacies :
cxliii
Location, working hours, personnel, average number of prescriptions and the
frame work(Table 19).
Load of work:
Every pharmacy has one window for dispensing. Many workers are inside and
the prescription moves on the dispensing cycle till the patient collects the
prescribed drugs.The pharmacy receives many prescriptions daily in a certain
working hours.The ratio between the working time and number of prescriptions
been dispensed may express the load of work.
(Table 20) indicates that there is a problem at the Central Pharmacy , Referred
Clinics Pharmacy, Paediatric Pharmacy and Certain days at the Families
Pharmacy.
cxliv
B. Locations, working hours, personnel and service areas
Pharmacy Site & location Building’s Working hours Average daily Personnel Service Remarks
shaded area prescription framework
1 Central pharmacy Casualties and 4 x 2½ 10m2 First shift 24 320 1. captain ph. - Casualties clinics No weekend
evacuation hours 2nd shift 50 2. Native act ph. - evacuation ward
compound 3. 3 assistants - inpatients after
labours daytime
- surgical theaters
- casualties room
24hr.
2 Referred clinics Referred clinics 7 x 4 28 m2 (8-2) 6 hours 357 1. major pharmacist All referred clinics 5 days work
compound 2. National Service within the Thursday:
pharmcist compound except off
3. 2 assistants labor urology
3 Officer families ward pharmacy Officer’s families 3 x 2½ 24 hours 45 day time 1. National Service All inpatient after No weekend
in patient ward 4 x 4 23½ m2 40 evening pharmacist daytime
2. 2 assistants labor Orthopedic ward
Officer families
ward
4 Pediatrics pharmacy Pediatric hospital 4 x 3 + 4 x 3 = 24 24 hours 120 daytime 2 assistants morning Out patient and Continuos
m2 50 evening 1 assistant pharmacist inpatient during service
evening daytime obs.
Urology only
Monday
5 Families hospital pharmacy Referred clinics 3 x 4 12 m2 no (8-1) 5 hours Sun:50 National Service ENT dent/ medicine 5 days work
compound space Mon: 250 pharmacist Surgery/ outpatient Thursday:
Tu:200 1 assistant pharmacist Ophth. Inpatient off
Wed: 70
Tr: off
Sat: 150
6 Hospital Internal pharmacy ENT/ophth. And 3x2½ (8-1) 5 hours 1 assistant pharmacist Psychiatric hospital Patient
medicine in 7½ m2 17 receive
patient drugs on
compound admission
from the
central
pharmacy
7 Psychiatric pharmacy Psychiatric 4x4+4x4 (8-1) 5hours Sunday: 60 1 assistant pharmacist Dental hospital Inpatient and
cxlv
hospital 32 m2 Thu: 20-15 outpatient
8 Dental pharmacy Dental hospital 3.5x4 + 3.5 x4 (8-2) 6 hours 60 1 assistant pharmacist
28 m2
146
cxlvi
cxlvii
148
Load of work:
Table ( 20 )Dispensing time at different outlets:
Pharmacy Time per one
prescription
Central Pharmacy: day hours 1minute
After day hours 5 minutes
Patient
Voucher
Drugs + Assistant preparing
Instructions
prescription Patient pharmacist Pharmacy
copy
drugs
dispensing (pharmacist)
Instructions
Pharmacist
Patient referred to
private pharmacy
Pharmacy
prescription copy
Tied up
+
Voucher
- Patients pay 25% of the drugs price.
- War operations injured: The white form is stamped not to pay.
149
The National Service recruited patients have different forms and do not pay.
- Inpatients : pay also 25% of the prescription cost.
- Non-insured cored patients : not allowed.
- Emergency drugs : free
The psychiatric pharmacy:
: Militant in service : free for 3 months.
Retirees and services winners : pay 25%.
Doses for the outpatient for a month and inpatient for 72 hours/ then a week and
one month on discharged.
The inpatients procedures were the same as the outpatient.
Pricing:
According to the price list issued by the central warehouses or to Form 47.
The assistant pharmacist review the prescription, costing the drugs in no
time and calculate, free drugs, 25% of the cost and record them in the same
prescription and then deliver it to the patient who move to the accountant table.
Account:-
Receive the money and issue a voucher from 2 copies one copy in the voucher
book and the other attached to the prescription. The patient then return the
dispensing window. The accountant collect the daily crop and deliver to the
central unit.
Preparing the prescribed drugs:-
The patient delivers the prescription and the voucher to the assistant
pharmacist and wait.
A group of prescriptions then delivered to the pharmacist inside who
prepare the different prescription and instruct the assistant on doses and patient
use, cancel the prescription.
Not available drugs was referred to the contracted pharmacy. Numerous
prescription was referred to the contracted pharmacy.
Registration:
No prescription registration.
There are no drugs registration books and no inventory records. Only the
prescriptions were tied up.
Training:
No any training course neither for the dispensers nor pharmacist.
Audit activities: Nil
Dispensing window:
The assistant call the patients by name to receive their drugs and instructions,
overlapping of prescriptions occurs due to the existence of many patients at the
same time.
Chronic diseases:
They have cards for follow up. However, they attend to take their drugs
every month .( Annex.8 )
Narcotics:Pethidine HCl and morphine sulphate were dispensed by the
pharmacist. The prescriber fills the form (annex. 9 ). The pharmacist retains the
150
empty ampoules and dispense the drug in a dispensable syringes to the nurse
who sign the receipt.
Labels: no bags, Sackets or envelopes, instruction either verbally or by writing
in a marker pen.
Surgical operations:-
Sutures and consumables were dispensed at the pharmacy.
5.10.3 Dispensing during battles.
Accompanied medical team was responsible for the issue. If the team
contains an assistant pharmacist, he will be taking the task, if not the medical
assistant will curry on the issue. Civilians within the war areas are the
responsibility of the army from the health and security aspects. Drugs shortage
was common; fighters tend to buy their reserve drugs from the nearest local
market.
5.10.4 Selected Therapeutic categories and item price investigations:
Table (21), Chart (13) and Chart (14) illustrate the results.
5.10.5 Inpatient housing according the pharmacy frame work :
1-Internal hospital pharmacy:
For in patient serving 452 beds.
2-Psychiatric Pharmacy:
For inpatient and outpatients. Inpatient it serves about 60 beds .
3-Officer Families pharmacy:
officer families ward 54 bed . orthopaedic ward 159 beds .
4-Pediatric hospital pharmacy:
For out patient and inpatients-54 beds
5-Causalities wards pharmacy
1-Out patients of the casualties . Inpatient admission for 24 hours-35 beds .
2-Evacuation ward: 80 bed
All surgical theatres were supplied directly from the central warehouses .
6- Families hospital pharmacy:
for the out patients and inpatients total of (73 ) beds
151
Referred 48 0 22 26 2.2 436.0SD
KhartoumContract 0 0 0 0 0 577.2SD
80
60 antibiotics
antimalarial
40 analgesics
vitamins
20
0
pharmacies
Chart (13) Average Item Price at Different Outlets
12000
10000
Price
8000
6000
4000
2000
There are no records or registration books.
0
The Takaful non-covered patients are not allowed to buy drugs from the
1
pharmacy, because 2 the 3work 4load and
of 5 the6burden
7 on the
8 central
9 stores,
10 11which
pharmacies
152
is not acceptable. Emergent cases, crying child on fever, dying from
dehydration, women on delivery all could not have drugs even later in the night.
In spite of paying the operation cost, investigation cost, hospitalization cost but
could not have drugs from the pharmacy.
Only 11.8% were generic name and they were:
(- Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Multivitamin and Cough syrup) all others are in
trade and brand names.
At one peripheral health centre for one day there were 20 prescriptions
containing creams and shampoos in pairs and trade names.
Drugs dispensed at one contracted public pharmacies in Khartoum period from
1/12 – 31/1/2002, two months, on 95 prescriptions, 34% of them were
multivitamin. The price was arranging from 600 -700consisting the 75% . the
price being 660 ÷ 3 x 4 = 880 SD, which equal 200% the price at the pharmacies
inside the system. Expensive multivitamin. of price 2800 SD was dispensed. On
studying the prescriptions at one contracted regional pharmacy, 47 items were
the total items being referred. 28 prescriptions of them could be available in the
hospital in abundant quantities. They are produced by the army plant.
Chloroquine phosphate syrup : 6 prescriptions.
Paracetamol syrup: 7 prescriptions.
Amoxycillin 125mg suspension. : 5 prescription of price equal to 300% of its
price at central stores.
Contracted pharmacy correlated to Gyada hospital: The monthly consumption (
100% ) of drugs referred from hospital to Takaful = 1,180,000 SD for the year
2002 Daily: 49,139.9 SD.
Average prescription cost : 1,060.5 SD
For a study of 101 prescription from 1-7/4/2002 results in:
1. Average prescription cost : 960.1 SD.
2. Average item price: 577.2 SD
3. Participation of hospital affiliated pharmacy: 30.35%.
Pharmacies working under contract with Takaful
The base is that, the patient pays 25% of the prescription
The pharmacy will be reimbursed by the remaining 75% from Takaful treasury.
A. Center :
1. Medical corps public pharmacy : center.
2. M.A Faki public pharmacy : Gyada hospital.
3. Jabal Awlia pharmacy : Jabal Awlia.
4. Bahri : Bahri area.
It is clear that, there is great load of work on the referred clinic pharmacy which receives about 350
prescriptions daily with a time for each prescription one minute. Also the central pharmacy which receives about
153
320 prescriptions on the daytime needs a solution.. There should be a way to minimize this burden, this may be
through separation of the monthly cotas using the cards of continues treatment from the daily prescriptions.
The overlap of free drugs and reimbursed drugs in the Central Pharmacy may lead to confliction; at the
same time the high rate of flow of prescriptions ensures the high need to divide both activities.
The Casualties Pharmacy is better to use the unit dose system in a different form to ensure that the
patient did not receive more than the allowed drugs and to make perfect records even in the presence of the dual
system.
In JRMS, there is the Monthly Pharmacy and the causality cupboard for the free drugs mainly after
daytime.
Pharmacy areas:
All areas are not official. The official specified area for the retail pharmacy is 50 m2
Specialized pharmacy and pharmacist in the surgical operations requirement is essential to make records
The inpatient pharmacy usually acting on the patient file in daily doses, daily monitoring of treatment,
daily patient assessment, all the purposes for patients admissions make the dispensing of a full course of therapy
not recommended. The nurse should bring drugs independently from the co-patient.
The internal pharmacy is assumed to serve 452 beds, but it only receives 17 prescriptions daily. This is
due to the prescribing in CoT and unit dose system. This CoT is taken at once from the outpatient pharmacy.
This pharmacy could be activated by introducing the 24 hour dosage system to one section and supplying the
The personnel:
More militant pharmacists are needed. There should be a pharmacist in every pharmacy according to the
Pharmacy and Poisons Act 2001. National Service pharmacists who work two days a week will not be
The distribution of the Native Service pharmacists from the MOH directly to the war areas is not justifiable.
154
5.10.7 The Dispensing Cycle:
The cycle was inverted. The pharmacist should be the first and the last station for the prescription. In the present
Instead of pricing drugs in the prescription form it better to issue a payable voucher .
To avoid overlapping of prescriptions and the crowdies near the window , a calling number system will of great
value.
The pharmacy and the supply manager do not know the daily revenues of drugs to compare the drugs issued
against the revenue. However, this would be of no value without inventory records.
There should be a labeled plastic bags and Sackets to pack the dispensed drugs. Structured stickers for writing
All of Central and Regional Pharmacies do not use to record the issued quantities and those being
received. The daily and monthly record books are not available in all pharmacies. How did the stock been taken
annually? The existing situation only and not against records will not be a true auditing. The consumption and
- The price of drugs at the contracted pharmacies is three to four folds of its price at the affiliated
pharmacies in spite of the direct purchases of the supply unit.
- Items of the Army Drug Plant should be available at the outlets in abundant quantities.
5.10.10 Therapeutic categories:
Outlets of high utilization of antibiotics need more efforts, training and direct contact to prescribers for
rationalizing drugs use by minimizing utilization of antibiotics. The active and efficient HTC can set effective
Vitamins : -16% -53%of the prescription. This indicates the irrational prescribing and over prescribing habits.
155
Distribution of the Contracted Pharmacies According to the Military Areas
1 Juba Nil
2 Malakal Nil
3 Wau 2
4 Gizera 2
5 Red Sea 2
6 White Nile 3
7 Northern 4
9 Blue Nile 5
10 Medeliternean 6
11 Western m.a 8
12 Eastern 10
In spite of the aggregations of forces in Juba and more crises were there, but Takaful did not extended
Payment of the 25% being a suspended problem, but a higher command can solve the problem.
156
5.11 Finance
5.11.1 Resources:-
Before 1999, the only financial resources was the government budget,
which did not satisfy the supply demands.
The budget considers all the medical corps activities, drugs, dressing,
disinfectants, vaccines, preventive medicine requirement, hospital sanitary,
machine and equipment on different classes.
Table (22) Governmental budget:
Year Approved Actually Percentage
Budget SD accessed of actual
1997 400 millions ? ?
1998 400 millions 220 million 55%
1999 600 millions 180 millions 30%
2000 600 millions 100 millions 16.6%
2001 710 millions 95 millions 13.3%
2002 660 millions 6.757 millions 1.02%
2003 660 millions 6.05%
On 1997, no data available, this is due to unavailability of records.
Invoice were delivered directly to the Central Financial Affairs to issue a cheque
against each invoice.
During the year 1998, the first bank account was opened. A tender had been
executed in quarterly bases. Only the first quarter had been executed due to the
inaccessibility of the approved budget.
On the 5th of May 1998, a command 614 the Minister of Defense charged
the Board of Directors for the Military Health Insurance, achieved by the Deputy
Chief of Staff for Administration and the Medical Corps Leader is the Chief on
duty.
The premiums were defined as 800 SD monthly for the officer and 400
SD for lower ranks.
This constitute 40%, according to Health Insurance Act. The MOF covers
the remaining 60%.
Recent Resources:-
Takaful (health insurance) treasury is the main support for drug supply all
over the country for militaries, retires and families:
1) Government share directly from the MOF in monthly intervals is 80
millions SD
2) Member premiums deducted from salaries at the army financial affairs
monthly: 70 millions SD
3) Retired militaries: 5 millions SD
4) civilians in the army employment: 2 millions SD
A total of 157 millions SD
The revenue of drugs paid by the patient (25% of the prescription cost was
retained in a separate account to cover emergencies).
157
From the above budget the supply unit fund was not defined but a total of
70 millions SD monthly was allowed with argument, this constitutes 45.2% of
Takaful budget. The supply unit held a tender for the year 2003. The total of
805,506,317 SD for drugs and dressings
173,702,725 SD for surgical equipment
200,000,000 SD for CMS public org. for untendered items
1179,209,042 SD
A total of 1.2 billions SD was required to fulfill the tender another budget
of 0.6 billion SD was needed for the war areas. They are the monthly Takaful
budget and the Financial Affairs budget being mentioned.
The remaining 87 millions SD of the budget was funded for:
1) Operation cost.
2) Salaries and incentives.
3) Contracted hospitals and doctors for services.
4) Contracted pharmacies.
5) Others.
No clear funds were defined.
5.11.2 Organization:-
The Army Central Financial Affairs were the only official outlet of the
governmental finance to the army.
The governmental budget of the Medical Corps was one of the
components of the general budget. Till the year 2001 there was no accounting
unit within the Medical Supply Department. The finance was managed directly
at the central level.
By implementing the ‘Takaful’ an accounting unit was established.
Now, as the main financial resources for the medical supply is through
Takaful, the supply became one of the section of Takful organization. The
Financial Unit managing the supply operations had been located as a subordinate
of Takaful Manager.
The Financial Manager supervises an integrated team exhibiting the
different accounting transactions and operations.
5.11.3 Procedures: Procedures for payment.
1) signed by
Invoice Approved Medical stores manager
Supply
by supply stores manager
+
goods manager 2) T.O.C (12C)
Sign T.O.C
Paymen Finance
For deposit: Cash collectors at all pharmacies collect the 25% ofmanager
drugs cost.
They Issue a voucher for cash prescription, and then directly deposit cash to the
financial unit daily, some weekly or even monthly for regions. The financial unit
aggregates all deposit in a cash account nominated for this purpose.
158
5.11.4 Drug expenditure:
(1) 70-80 millions SD per months, for the drugs within the system.
(2) Contracted pharmacies, monthly announcement for payment, paid from
another fund.
(3)The total value of the inventory is 368,315,400 SD. at the Central
Warehouses.
(4) Revenue of the cost coverage service for uninsured patient.
5.11.5 Pricing of drugs:
No standard criteria, a price list was set in a non-formulary way, new
invoices follow the latest invoices. Prices were set in order to be below the
market price and above the invoice price. However, invoices were currently
entered without changing the prices. Many trade names follow one price
independent of the invoice price.
Prices are settled within the warehouses level and approved by the supply
managers.
5.11.6 Audit:
Audit procedures are carried out annually by the Armed Forces General
Inspector managerial and financial inspection, a report was annually raised to the
Army Chief of Staff.
5.11.7 Contracted pharmacies payments:
- pharmacies within the center announce weekly for payment.
- States pharmacies announce monthly for payment.
The Center:-
- The Annual Payment for the year 2003 is 107,200,000 SD
Pharmacy Percentage
1. Medical Corps Public 88,54%
2. M.A. faki Public 8,32%
3. Bahri: Pharmacy 2,48%
4. Jabal Awlia Pharmacy .66%
Average month 9 millions SD
This value for the 75% reimbursement. The other 25% paid by the patient is 3
millions SD.
Center total annual shortage 144 millions SD
The States:
Table ( 23 )The average payment per month for75% reimbursement 2003:
Area Average month LS
No of pharmacies
1. South of Blue Nile M.A. 5 29,166,783,45
2. Eastern M.A. 10 26,878,304,29
159
3. Western M.A. 9 23,178,566,78
4. North Newair M.A. 4 24,375,813,80
5. Northern M.A. 4 12,548,544,40
6. Middle M.A. 6 12,049,424,62
7. Buhr elGhazal M.A. 2 9,457,681,33
8. White Nile m.a 3 6,108,285,89
9. Gizera M.A. 2 5,476,135,82
10. Red Sea M.A. 2 4,618,700,30
153,858,240,68
The total cost of drugs for one month: 20,514,432 SD
The total cost of drugs for the year : 246,173,185 SD
In study 1/1/2001 –13/3/2001(3 months) a total of 21,732,044,00 SD for
contracted pharmacies. The payment to the contracted pharmacies increased
by100% from 2001 to 2003.
5.11.8 Deposits :
A. The Center
The 25% of drugs cost:
The total amount collected at the different pharmacies for the year 2003
till December is 90,538,620SD.
Table (24 ) Average per month for different pharmacies
160
Average/ Pharmacy Average
Pharmacy month in /month in
SD SD
1. Central Pharmacy 1724988 16. Bahri Pharmacy 215945
2. Pediatric Pharmacy 1237285 17. Kadroo 6629
3. Referred 1140823
Clinical Pharmacy 75990
Pharmacy 162493 18. Kalakla 80798
4. Dental Pharmacy 381504 Pharmacy 68372
27075
5. Officer Families Ward 19. Dar elslam 28744
Pharmacy 193399 Pharmacy 24363
6. Internal Pharmacy 252640 20. Magrous 21812
7. Mohandesein 52594 Pharmacy 342191
Pharmacy 275334 21. Public Defense 56865
8. Jabal Awlia Pharmacy336210 Pharmacy. 24949
9. Mahlalag Pharmacy 154431 22. Jayli Pharmacy 42163
10. Shagara Pharmacy 195021 23. Psychiatric 39763
11. Gyada Pharmacy 199238 Pharmacy 21506
12. General 107462
warehouse 24. Families
Pharmacy Pharmacy
13. Wadi Saidna 25. Kur Omar
Pharmacy Pharmacy
14. Tegana Pharmacy 26. Shambat
15. Mazalat Pharmacy Pharmacy
27. Fatasha
Pharmacy
28. Markhiat
Pharmacy
29. Military prison
Pharmacy.
The Medical Corps compound pharmacies 8 pharmacies 5038171
collects monthly
161
B. The States:
The 25% of drugs cost collected for the year 2003 according to the
military regions.
Table ( 25 )Average/ month
Region/ pharmacy N- outlets Value SD
1 Equatorial M.A. Nil Nil
2 South of Blue Nile M.A. 2 427724
3 Eastern M.A. 6 2088952
4 Western M.A. 3 500316
5 Northern Newair M.A. 2 134990
6 Northern M.A. 3 410090
7 Middle M.A. 7 884307
8 Buhur el Ghazal M.A. 1 96154.5
9 White Nile M.A. 1 226221
10 Gezira M.A. 2 248985
11 Red sea M.A. 2 196459
12 High Niles M.A. Malakal 1 145454
Total 5,359,652,50
The total 25% collection appeared in the budget declaration in December
2003 was 128,736,337,58SD in a pool account not differentiated.
In a study 2001 from 1/1/2001 to 13/3/2001 the total 25% collection was:
12,226,868,39 SD for the year 2003.
Collection of economic service fees for doctors was 5,700,000SD
investigation and x-rays was 20,700,000SD
In the payment schedules some areas need a follow up for depositing.
Operation cost could not be obtained because all depend on the cash
method procedures.
5.11.9 The Deficits in cost coverage:
The records deficits are not available. The delivers costs was obtained. Then it
had been sorted, arranged on the outlet column on Excel program. The sum for
every outlet is obtained.
The 25% collected by the Financial Department was obtained and entered to the
work sheet, multiplied by four to get the full cost of drugs.
The percentage of the money collected to the total cost was calculated for every
outlet. Then the deficit was obtained ( Table 26).
162
Table ( 26)The Percentage of the Deficits in Drug Cost Coverage
Pharmacy 2002 2003 Pharmacy 2002 2003
1 Central pharmacy 32% 20% 35 Kosti 7% 13%
2 Offic.families ward 79 43 36 Gadarif 12 6
3 Internal pharmacy 94 65 37 Demazin 0.37 16
4 Psychiatric 91 90 38 Ribkona 100 83
5 Referred clinic 51 9 39 Atbara 4 20
6 Families 31 3 40 Hantoup -- 53
7 Pediatrics 16 2 41 Medani 24 1+
8 Dental Hosp. 44 44 42 Genana 81 84
9 Mohandessin 5 0.4 43 Fashir 44 38
10 Tuberculosis 100 100 44 Fawo 49 32
11 Mahlaj 7 32+ 45 Kadogli 48 57
12 Labal Awlia 7 6 46 Abo Gebaiha 28 89
13 Shagara 5 17 47 Obeid 30 35
14 Kalakla 8 7+ 48 Singa 18 16
15 General Warehouse 3+ 3 49 Malakal 37 4
16 Gyada 19 10 50 Aroma -- 60
17 Public Defense 47 9 51 Dordaib -- 100
18 Mazalat 3 12+ 52 Neyala 33 20
19 Fatasha 67 8 53 Girba 20 31
20 Khalid Ibn Walied 3+ 9 54 Dalang 23 5
21 Dar el-Salam 9 1 55 Tulodi 78 87
22 Tehgana 10 5 56 Liri 13+ 41
23 Military Prison 100 68 57 Abyay 100 100
24 Wadi Saidnna 16 5 58 Babanasa 6+ 27
25 Shambat 60 24 59 Jabait 47 52
26 Kadaro 1+ 6+ 60 Slalab 100 100
27 Gayli 25 21 61 Halfa 71 37
28 Bahri 7 4+ 62 Wawo 60 59
29 Markheyat -- 21 63 Sinkat 100 100
30 Migrous 21 35+ 64 Aweel -- --
31 Lagawa 27 19+ 65 Tokar -- --
32 Port Sudan 11+ 27 66 Abo Gabra -- --
33 Kasala 5 21 67 Almairam -- --
34 Shendi 7+ 12 68 Mojlad 100 100
These results necessitate the isolation of free drugs from the reimbursed drug.
The pharmacies should work in financial aspects similar to that of the business
style. Contraction for the pharmaceutical service to a military organization will
save all these deficits for Takaful.
B- Table (27)Regional Pharmacies:-
Pharmacy & region Location Pharmacy & region location
163
1 Eastern military Faow 7 Western military region Fashir
region Faow 1. Hilal pharmacy Fashir
1. Faow modern ph. Gadarif 2. Masara pharmacy Maleitt
2. Gadrif public ph. Girba 3. Seventh brigade ph. Kabkabia
3. Girba people’s ph. Kasala 4. Safaa pharmacy Dehgein
4. Medical corps ph. Kasala 5. Kawthar pharmacy Nyla
5. Shifa pharmacy New 6. Amjad pharmacy Zalingi
6. New Halfa ph. Halfa 7. Hammas pharmacy Kotum
7. Halfa sugar New 8. Public pharmacy Genaina
factory Halfa 9. Noman pharmacy Kass
8. Dordiab pharmacy Dordiab
9. Aroma pharmacy Aroma
10. Tokar pharmacy Tokar
2 Baher El Ghazal 8 Red Sea military region Port Sudan
region Wau 1. sea forces pharmacy Port Sudan
1. Tusheen pharmacy Wau 2. sea forces pharmacy Salab ports
2. Social services ph.
3 Jazzira military region 9 White Nile military Rabak
1. Medani public ph. Medani region Kosti
2. Shaheed public ph. Medani 1. Rahma public Getaina
pharmacy Getaina
2. Soltan hospital ph.
3. Health insurance ph.
4 South of Blue Nile 10 Meddle military region Obied
military region 1. Bon Gadeed ph. Obied
1. Rabi pharmacy Demazin 2. Sandos store Rehaid
2. Zamala public ph. Demazin 3. Lagawa hospital ph. Lagawa
3. Afia pharmacy Singa 4. Public ph. Bara
4. Saliheen pharmacy Sinnar 5. Specialist pharmacy Abugebaih
5. Yahgeen Singa 6. Talodi hospital ph. a
pharmacy Talodi
5 Majulad and west of 11 Equatorial Military Juba
Newir m. region region
1. Elbir public ph. Babanos Nil
2. Shaheed public a
ph. Babanos
3. Guberalla ph. a
4. Elbir Abyay
international ph. Mojulad
6 Northern military 12 High Niles military Malakal
region Shendi region
1. Salam public ph. Deba Nil
2. Deba public ph. Dongola
3. Nur public ph. Atbra
4. Public pharmacy
A total of 47 pharmacies under contract of Takaful at the states plus 4
pharmacies at the center, the total is 51 pharmacies under contract.
5.11.10 Assessment :
164
On studying the annual government budget, the results revealed that the approved budgets are figures of no
value. The percentage of the actual budget to the approved one decline from 55% in the year 1998 to 1.20% in
the year 2002, it was 0.86% for the year 2003 till December when jumped to 6.05% by purchasing Mengioccocal
By interviewing the Head Department of the Financial Affairs of the Army, he clarifies the issue. He
collects the monthly premiums for Takaful and gets the government share, 70 millions SD and 80 millions SD
respectively. He was convinced that there should be no need for extra funds, or allocations for the Medical
Corps, but if there is any need, the NFDMS should cover. There is enough money circulating in the SMC. He
justified the figures appeared in the general army budget that they use to fill these figures to advocate for the
(1) Fighters and who are in the war areas can not pay the premium share of the 25%, and many mobile
troops tend to lose their drug stock in battles.
(2) Logistic preparation for war operations, lost stocks, high risk of soldiers and great expenses for
battles, who will pay for this?
(3) Casualties, the 24 hours drugs, the government allows the MOF to recover this issue, for instance,
Khartoum Educational Hospital gain a budget of 16 millions SD monthly to cover the casualties
drug expenditures. The MOF allows the CMSPO to issue the drugs within this budget. This is true
for all other civilian hospitals.
For these reasons the system should make use of this fact either to pay the invoices for the war areas or
paying the share of the 25% or pay the invoices of free casualties drugs or all of them, but respectful invoices
should be delivered.
On the questionnaire, no other alternative for the monthly budget of Takaful, it could not be given in
2- Resources: (1) The available resources could be extended by including extra categories of related activities to
(3) pharmacies may work in the basis of full charge value of drugs extra revenue can take place.
165
3- Operational cost:
The report of the Army General Inspector 2001, stated that 40% of the budget is a working cost, 60% is
for drugs. The total monthly budget is 157 millions SD while the drug budget is 70 millions SD represents about
This situation is not true, provided that the rest of the budget includes:
The total annual collection of the 25% of drug cost is: 128,736,337.5 SD
The total cost of drugs issued against this value is: 514,945,650 SD
Contracted pharmacies:-
This represents the total shortage of drugs of the system that is replenished by contracted pharmacies.
Comparing the cost of drugs issued by the systemic pharmacies to that issued by contracted pharmacies state the
ratio of 5.1:4
The supply system looses 20% which is the revenue of the retail pharmacy, this means that the drug
expenditure on whole price is 322 millions SD as the transportation for the states increase the cost considerably,
we can say the actual drug expenditure at the source is 30 millions SD the loss will be 25%.
As these pharmacies purchase the drugs directly, the price will differ from that of the tender by 46%.
That means this drugs could be obtained by approximately 140millions SD the total loss will be 65%.
So, if contracting for the whole pharmaceutical service, setting the prices according to a tender process,
on 15% profit for the service provider, 25% will be the least saving and the whole operation cost. The National
Health Insurance contracts for the pharmaceutical service with the RDF and yields appreciated results . ( Annex.
13 ).
166
5.12 Security Measures
1-There are no security measures at the selection, procurement, purchasing
levels and on receiving consignments.
2-Shelves: Staff and workers acquiring their own needs, friends and relatives in
a narrow limits and little quantities, being subtracted from pharmacies quantities
on delivery.
Workers: expensive known items only.(April 2004, a reported case of the
cefuroxime 750 mg I.M. )
3- Delivery problems: Subtracting from the request and inquiring the
representative. Theft from goods that had been signed by the hospital
representative. Improper quantities.
4-Packaging and shipping: Packed drugs in cartons waiting for transportation
as much as it stays as more as its available for theft from the stores staff
especially expensive drugs. Reports on ciprofloxacin.
No measures for the shipping staff.
5-Transportation: Lorries and trucks; quantities is the responsibility of the
shipping office. Heat, weather conditions and technical measures had no security
and quality assurance for drugs after transportation on lorries for 5-7 day?
Consignment for one facility transferred to other was common.
6-Receipt at the pharmacies: No measures, no forms for discrepancies. A
voucher filled by the affiliated unit of control and security, should be signed and
stamped by the executive manager at the health facility declaring the receipt of
consignment. The health facility should be allowed to take new consignments
when returning this voucher. Commonly these vouchers were accumulated at the
health facilities in the states and they took new consignment that, many excuses
were advocated. The peripheral hospitals and health centers in the capital city
region, receives their drugs without this voucher.
7-Pharmacies: Theft was common, staff by the aid of others as patients. Many
cases were reported. No measures adopted.
8-Insurance cards: Many cards were issued with false documents.
30% of cards at one station were false. New magnetic cards with new documents
were planned to be applied.
The actual total number of the cards issued at the Center and different states
could not be obtained. Bias was common.
9-Prescribing: Patients without cards. Patients with cards of other person. A
card without attendance of the patient. Patients with prescription from other
doctors, the prescriber fills the form with another prescription. Patients
requesting certain drugs. Drugs for one person with the prescribed drugs for the
patient. Prescribing drugs that could be passed to the private contracted
pharmacy.
167
Over prescribing. There was a bill for every ill and drugs for all forms. If the
doctor did not prescribe drugs he will not have the fees.
10-Dispensing: Dispensing unprescribed drugs for relatives. Dispensing more
quantities, extra courses. Dispensing drugs without prescriptions. Dispensing for
staff. By passing prescription for the referred pharmacy. Wrong pricing,
Dispensing without payment. Cases were reported on the Legal Affairs records.
The annually physical stock taking leads to continuous corruption during the
year without discovery.
11-Outpatient security measures: Declaring the insurance card to get
prescription form. Obtaining a voucher to get the drugs. Cheating in the
insurance card, prescribing and dispensing had been mentioned. The patient,
nurse and assistant staff may add some drugs to a patient prescription, addition
of items had been reported.
12-Inpatient security measures: Obtaining the file on a request from the
physician. Obtaining an inpatient prescription form from the Statistical Unit
whenever drugs were required. Cheating in the file by nurse or the co-patients
cannot be ruled out.
13-Nursing staff: Having prescription in the outpatient clinics where they work
every now and then using their cards and their families’ card. Using the
inpatient files for expensive drugs. The nurses retained files of discharged
patients and they did not deliver them to the statistical unit.
Narcotics cheating were not reported.
14-Surgical operations theatres: No measures to catch theft of sutures, tools
and drugs. Many cases were reported on the easily theft of sutures Sackets,
anesthetics, tools, drugs and consumables by the medical staff.
15-Laboratories: no measures.
16-Referred pharmacies:
Addition of drugs to the prescription had been reported.
Dispensing of expensive drugs was reported. Cheating in prices is difficult
to be discovered. Increasing the quantities was reported. Non-covered
drugs being dispensed.
17-Security in approval of drug request: No measures.
18-Safely measures: - at the stores; the stores as in fig ( 27 ) was adjacent to
combustibles and the garage and workshops of floors and fuel stores.
- Water drainage and water lines, electricity were close.
- Connected to other buildings.
- No fire or smoke alarms.
- One air condition being working 24hours without security measures.
No training in fire frightening, no facilities except water cylinders.
Explosives could not be avoided or discovered.
19- Security in the employment against fraud and employment of relatives.
No measures on the person who should be employed.
20-Security in the financial affairs: Deposits of the 25% being collected from
the different pharmacies; no measures to assure that it had been added to the
account that the collector may deceive on this, in spite of being given on book
168
and he have to deposit the money collected to have a new book. Peripheral and
states pharmacies, often not delivering the collected revenue in accounting basis.
Expenses: No measures.
21- Night guarding: No special guard but on the guard of the whole medical
corps compound.
22- Security in the quality assurance: No measures.
23-Site security: Building being adjacent to other buildings. Center of walkers’
roads. No boundaries. No locked area.
24-Procedures security: No measures for the flow of papers and work and load
of work in the clinics or the pharmacies.
25- Document security: None.
26- Security in disposing expired or spoiled drugs:
No technical reports are available due to confidential reasons..
27- Security at the inlet and outlets of visitors:
Any body can enter at anytime during the day. Any one can exit at any time.
Cars and motorcycles usually enter the hospital area, casualties and private
economical therapy at El-Taheel Health Center.
28-Entrance and exit visitors control :
Open gates with guards at the main gate of the whole complex.
29-Penalties and judging: A judge man is in duty. Penalties on drugs are
usually for theft of workers and biased insurance cards. Cheating in cards.
General penalty; discharge from the military service.
30- Pharmaceutical inspection: The reports of annual stock taking is always
perfect no discrepancies. Unannounced stock taking had not been held.
Cupboards in the patient wards of the nurses, clinics and operation theaters of no
control. Expired drugs are not taken in consideration. The prices are taken in
25% basis. Nurse in the night services at the peripheral health centers are not
under any control. No evaluation reports being held.
170
Chapter 6
Conclusion and
Recommendations
171
6. Conclusion and Recommendations:
6.1 Conclusion:
The problems related to the medical supply in the Sudanese Medical Corps lie on three
dimensions:
6.1.1 Organizational &managerial problems:
The pharmaceutical activities are carried out within three bodies working in the same field,
the Medical Corps, the Health Insurance Program (Takaful) and the NFDMS. They act
jointly in sometimes and parallel in others. The Health Insurance of the managed care type
provides the services and drugs in 75% reimbursement. The pharmaceutical activities of
these bodies overlap either at the managerial levels or at the utilization levels. Pharmacists
in these bodies posses different authorities, responsibilities, and facilities not
corresponding to the military ranking or the professional experience levels. The lack of
one organizational and managerial hierarchy leads to conflicts in objectives . The
ordinance 1994 needs to be updated. There is no unity of command or in charged senior
pharmacist terminating the usual organizational and managerial hierarchy. The losses due
to this disorganization are 25-30%of total drug expenditure. The opportunities of
elaborating and establishing a dependable innovated one pharmaceutical organization are
available and highly cost-effective .It needs only a managerial command.
6.1.2 Financial problems:
Lack of funds paralyzes the activities of the supply unit for years. Lack of enough funds
for the war areas costs fighters lives, and may defeat the forces in actions. Fighters in the
war areas fulfill the Takaful deductibles without gaining a services except after being
referred to the main hospital .However, their dependents receive the service. The Medical
Corps do not receive the usual hospitals budget that had been funded for casualties .It is 16
millions SD monthly for Khartoum Educational Hospital.
Direct purchases method is against the governmental regulations leading to many
complexities, elevation of prices and indents which in turn elevates prices. The Takaful
may run the same cycle, because of the 150 millions SD, 70-80 millions are allocated
monthly for drugs. The shortage (45%) covered by referring to the unaffiliated pharmacies
together with the continuous direct purchases the supply system may collapse sooner .The
tender average drug prices is 46% of the direct purchases drug prices .
There are problems in collecting the revenue of drugs (the 25%). Audit procedures for this
purpose are difficult because the free drugs are consolidated with those reimbursed by
75% and the availability of the Actions Supplies together with Takaful drugs at one outlet.
172
The monthly allowance of the budget is the main obstacle to carryout a tender except in
the basis of scheduled payment which is a form of indention and may slightly elevates
prices (Malaysia). Joint efforts and joint purchases with the CMSPO are cost-effective.
3- Distribution of drugs:
There is no meaning to spend billions of Dinars in purchasing good quality drugs and
having an appropriate storage facility. Boundaries, gates, security measures, receipt area,
packaging and shipping area, storage area, cold chain, controlled room, inflammables
area, pallets and shelves, aeration and personnel facilities are issues to be considered.
Receipt committee, allocations committee and delivery committee provides transparency
and good warehousing practices. The stores of the Medical Corps are scattered units in
the area of the Medical Corps Compound, with no boundaries and entrance control .The
new building of Takaful blocks the only probable way for the plant to comply the official
requirements. The distribution system of sunshine type makes the load of work reaches 6-
8 requisitions to be filled daily. Transportation of drugs for 5-7 days on inappropriate
conditions may affect the quality. Transportation from all health facilities in the country
to the centre, waiting for a week and then return back, necessitates the establishment of
the regional stores. The efforts in controlling these regional stores will be less expensive
than the problems arise on centralization.
Computerization of the inventory records allows the fast accessibility of information. The
information from the facilities is fundamental for monitoring the process. Unannounced
stock taking provides trust in the system
4- Prescribing:
The prescribing habits are a physician professional and educational issue. The heavy
prescribers in the Sudanese Medical Corps particularly at the centre are on the
housemanship and the National Service. The physicians in uniform are only 25% of the
house officers and the Native Service physicians. House officers may stay for one or two
medical shifts. Recruited physicians may stay for 8months. Implementation of training
programs may be difficult, so the regulatory booklet could be effective. Over prescribing
of vitamins, duplicative prescribing, trade names, spelling mistakes are common. The
non-stamped prescriptions with unknown signatures of the prescriber represent 70% of
the prescriptions reviewed. The bad habit of a bill for every ill is getting worse and
became there is a bill for every Takaful form. The form is a financial voucher rather than
a treatment sheet .Prescribing for the inpatient requires a new Takaful form and the co-
patient must get the form and refer to the pharmacy to get the full course of therapy. The
prescribing sheet of the Heart Centre follows the British Hospitals method where the
inpatient receives the daily dose. Dispensers, the nurses and the prescribers sign in their
specific positions.
5- Dispensing:
None of the pharmacies comply the official design. The dispensing time at the day time
is 1-1/2 minute for the prescription. Records for consumption and prescription
registration had not been carried out. The dispensing cycle is inverted. The free drugs
174
are consolidated with the reimbursed ones. Costing of prescriptions follows a list which
is not corresponding to the invoices.
6.2 Recommendations:
6.2.1 Organization:
A semiautonomous pharmaceutical agency is recommended aggregating
the different pharmaceutical activities in the Sudanese Armed Forces resembling
the Malaysian style and the British Royal Army Pharmaceutical Agency.
Takaful can contribute in the financial capital. The agency should be a
semiautonomous organization whose General Director is the Medical Corps
Deputy for the Medical Supply complying the ordinance 1994.(Fig.30)
S l ti
Military Pharmaceutical Agency
Import and
Procureme
Pharmacie
manufactu
Warehouse
assessment
purchases
Inventory
ring and
Finance
control
quality
statistic
control
Sales
Drug
need
and
ion
nt
s
Storag Tender
H.C Equipment Takaful
Regions
Registered Market
Transportation Public drugs
pharmacies
175
Departments of Security, fire fighting and prevention, training and research ,computer
and information and personnel should be included. The agency can work with
Takaful, War Areas and Actions Supply on contracts similar to that of the National
Health Insurance and RDF of KH State (annex13).
176
(10) Drugs those exhibiting bioavailability problems should be purchased through
CMSPO.
(11) Quality assurance through requisition of WHO certificate.
Quality assessment of JRMS practice, that the contract should guarantee the drug
quality prior their receipt, quality testing is essential rather than registration.
(12) Drugs possessing less than 2/3 of their shelf life could not be purchased
unless under forcing condition and those possessing more than ½ of their shelf life
are accepted only on donation.
(13) Donation list should be prepared; donation should not enter the system records.
(14) Great attention should be paid for the lead-time. Delivery date is better to be
specified by the procurement unit.
6.2.4 Distribution:
(1) Regional warehouse to be supplied every three month. Regional logistic unit to
follow up and control the distribution and consumption within the region.
(2) Establishing theater pharmacy.
(3) Departments, wards and clinics should be supplied form the hospital pharmacy or
the theatres pharmacy.
(4) Receipt committee using a check list.
(5) Frequent unannounced stock taking.
(6) Use of generic only in the invoice and receipt.
(7) Cold chain maintenance and room of controlled temperature.
(8) The Bin Card is better to show the unit price, package quantity, expiration date
and batch number.
(9) Receipt should contain also expiration date, unit price, package size, batch
number, the total quantity and supplier.
(10) Requisition should contain the code number.
(11) Design in the warehouse to contain:
1. Cold chain area. 2. Receipt area. 3. Delivery area.
4. Import store. 5. Expand store. 6. Secured room
6. Seemed area.
(12) Rehabilitation of the B1,B2,B3,B4,B7 buildings ( Fig 27) and constructing a
boundary walls considering the parking area, green area, gate and cafeteria.
(13) Register book for entrance and exit.
(14) Good communications to confirm the receipt of the consignment at the regional
warehouse.
(15) Dependable records at the drug out let to enhance calculation of drug
consumption at each outlet.
(16) Using the computer program attached for approval of quantities and providing
specific reports on the regional consumption.
(17) Prompt announce and action should be taken when shortage, expiration and
other problem appears.
(18) Using the kit system for the moving troop and specifying each military area
needs and demands and distribution of forces to ease the logistic process.
177
(19) A dependable staff in each region continuous inspection and visits of the
Supply Manager and certain structured monthly reports should be supplied.
(20) Statistical morbidity records regarding diseases prevalence and age should be
provided.
(21) Receipt form should differ from delivery form and both of them should
contain:
1. Name of drug, concentration and dosage form.
2. Basic unit.
3. Unit price.
4. Total price.
5. Batch number.
6. Expiration date.
7. Quantity of the basic unit issued the first of all is the code number, date of
delivery and signature and manager stamp.
(22) Code number based on the selection list.
(23) Safety measures against fire, theft and drainage.
(24) Use of pallets storage system.
(25) Feedback information should be submitted.
(26) The new warehouse should be affiliated to the drug production plant and in
turn the plant should pay for rehabilitation of the exiting ware houses and
constructing a new one beyond them.
6.2.5 Prescribing:
(1) The Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee or the Selection Committee should
issue a list for selection and set regulations.
a. Leveling of prescribers (professional levels).
b. Obligations to fill the diagnosis.
(2) Treatment Guidelines could be done by the efforts of the committee and the Drug
Information Center.
(3) Establishing Drug Information Center.
(4) Leveling of health facilities and determine what drugs could be supplied.
(5) Structured drug order form for certain therapeutic group targeted to be controlled.
(6) One course of therapy was allowed only for one visit.
(7) Training program, a booklet of the list and general regulations for prescribing, and
treatment guidelines for more prevalent diseases should be issued for every new
prescriber.
(8) Financial strategies: Many financial trials could be considered by the Higher
Authorized Committee or the Board of Directors of Takaful to encourage rational
prescription – of these strategies:
¾ Classifying drugs to A,B and C or Vital, Essential and Nonessential.
Rates of reimbursement could be as follows:
179
6.2.6 Dispensing:-
1) Establishing additional pharmacies in the referred clinics, the casualties ward and
the theaters as follows:
a. Pharmacy for chronic disease, monthly courses.
b. A separate Causality Ward Pharmacy for the free drugs, to dispense doses
for 24 hours.
c. Operations theaters pharmacy for the theaters demands and the different
departments.
2) Using the inpatient treatment sheet like that of the Heart Center, that the nurse
collects the doses for 24 hours. A deposit of money against the cost of drugs may
be required.
3) Drugs are better to be delivered in plastic Sackets, bags and stamped by the SAF,
MC identifiers.
4) Daily drug utilization record book should be filled. Monthly records and annual
structured reports for the supply manager should be filled. Computers are a
preferable tool.
5) Rehabilitation and redesigning of the pharmacies.
6) Continuous analysis of prescriptions to evaluate the prescribing habits to
concentrate the efforts of improvement.
7) Extension of Takaful activities to all remaining areas.
8) The army should pay the 25% share of fighters.
9) All drugs should be available in the affiliated pharmacies to minimize the
expenditure.
6.2.7 Finance :
1) Extra resources are needed, by adding extra groups to be covered by Takaful .
2) Contracting for the whole pharmaceutical services.
3) Bulk purchasing on tender basis.
4) Enough annual budgets for the bulk purchases should be allocated. If not, the
periodical payments are the alternative.
5) The pharmaceutical services should be extrapolated according to the military
areas.
6) Selling drugs to uncovered patients in a reasonable markup.
6.2.8 Security :
1- The use of committees for the all supply processes.
2- Rehabilitation of the warehouses and securing the area.
3- Continuous, unannounced stock taking.
4- Keeping very strong instructions for inventory records at all levels.
5- Proper transportation.
6- Keeping appropriate safety measures.
7- Tough penalties for discrepancies and conflicts.
180
Chapter 7
References and
Annexes
181
6.1 References:
1- Adcock Harriet, Kosovo Army Medical supplies Operations.
The Pharmaceutical Journal, (19/8/2000) volume 265 No.7110
pp (268-269).Captain Ellan Williams, Pharmacist Officer,2001, The Royal Army
Medical Supply Agency, one page paper.
2- Antezana, F., S., and Velasquez, G. (12/1996). Drug and Health System Sector
Reform. WHO, a task force on health economics.PP( 7-17).
3- Asfour Mahammed Shakir (1984). Essentials of Organization and Methods.6th
editon Dar Al Shorouq - Jedah General Management Institute, Riadh.PP( 145-310)
4- Brudon, P., et al. (2000) Indicators For Monitoring National Drug Policies, a
Practical Manual, 2nd edition. WHO.PP( 63-145).
5- CMSPO, (1996 ) Lectures on Stock Management ( Papers)
6- CMSPO, (1997-2004) The Procurement List.
7- Dinuis E. W , Burdon Jacobowicz (1988-1989)Guidelines For Developing
National Drug Policies. –WHO, Geneva.PP (1-44).
8- Dumolin J. (1998 ) , Guide To Drug Financing Mechanism.
WHO, Geneva.
9- El-Hwari Saiad, (5/1977). Management, Principles and Scientific Basis. Published
by Ain Shamus Library-Ciro, PP(135-204).
10- Gallwey Bey F.J.Miralai P.M.O. Number 1349 , the leader of the medical
squadron of the English-Egyptan Army, Deed Miec 1/184/2368, (1885-1898).Sudan
National Records.
11- Gallwey Bey F.J.Miralai P.M.O. Number 1349 , the leader of the medical
squadron of the English-Egyptan Army, Deed Miec 1/184/2369, (1885-1898).Sudan
National Records.
12-Griffiths Adrian, (1991). Estimating Drug Requirements. A Practical Manual.
Director of the Health Management Institute, Geneva. Published by WHO, Action
Program oh Essential Drugs.PP( 3.2-8.5).
13- Hall Richard H. Organizations, Structures, Processes and outcomes, 4th edition
University of New Yorkedited by Marjorie Borden. Published by Prentice- Hall INC.
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. PP (46 ).
14- Hogerzeil, H.,V., (27/10/2000). Essential Drugs and Medicines Policies. WHO
Department of Essential Drugs.PP( 1-3).
15-Hogerzeil, H.,V., et, al (2001) Essential Drug List 10 Considerations. List
11Alpha. Order. List11, Therapeutics groups.PP( 1-8).
16- Hospital Pharmacist Workshop (16-18/7/2000). Khartoum.
17-ITC (1986) International Trade Centre. Warehouses Techniques for import Goods.
Guide No. 8, UNCTAD/ GATT.( 92) pages.
18- ITC (1985) International Trade Centre. Stock Management.
Guide No. 6, UNCTAD/ GATT.( 66 ) pages.
19- Koko Bashir Homaida ,1969, Pages From The Turkish and Mahadia. Dar el-
Irshad for Printing, Publishing and Distribution.Khartoum.Matoug Brothers Printers-
182
Libanon.Sudan National Records Registeration Number 337/964,8.PP (81-82), PP
(230-231).
20- Martinot, J, et, al (1991) CMSPO Operation Manual, Dutch International
Cooperation.
21-Medical Corps (1994), The Medical Corps Ordinance-1994. , unpublished.
Medical Corps(2003), Fixed Instructions , unpublished.
22-Medicare (2003), Medicare and Prescription Drug Coverage.
Web site , http:/www.medicare.gov. therubins.com PP( 1-26).
23- Ministry of Health,(2001), Requirements for Registration of Drugs.
24- Ministry of Health,(1997), The National Drug Policy1997.
25- Military Health Insurance (2003) The Price Indicator for the tender 2003.
26-Money James D.(1954). Principles of Organization. Harber and Row publisher.PP
(1-30).
27-MSH (2001) Development and Maintenance of Hospital Drug Formularies. A
Manual at the Electronic Resource Centre 260 KB.19 Steps on four stages.PP (13-44
).
28- MSH (2001)Inventory Management Assessment Tool (IMAT). Imat
eng.version1.PP (1-9).
29- MSH (2003)Tools and Techniques; the series of Planning for your Organization,
adopting the strategic planning process ton various levels in the organization.PP (1-
3).
30- MSH (2001) Guidelines for Implementing Drug Utilization Review Program in
Hospitals..
31- MSH (2000)Managing Pharmaceuticals and Commodities.
PP (1-3).
32-Osman Ahmmed Mohammed (1990), Sudan Defense Forces. Military Press.PP(
23-34).
33-Parker,D. and Knippbege ( 1999 ). UNICEF , BAMAKO Initiative Technical
Report on Community Cost-sharing and Paticipation.
34- Quick, J. D.et al (1997) Managing Drug Supply: The Selection, Procurement,
Distribution, and Use of Pharmaceuticals (2nd edition Revised and Expanded).
Managing Science For Health in Collaboration with the WHOAction Program On
Essential Drugs. USA, West Harford, Kumarian Press.( 116 Authors Contribute to
48 Chapters in 815 pages. )
35-Rafie, Abd el Rhman., (1951) The Sudan and Egypt on the First Conquering
Colony, 3rd edition 1966. National House for Printing and publishing –Ciro. PP(188-
370).
36-Royal Medical Services Drug Formulary(1993 ) . Arabian Army Press-Amman.
37-Shogair Naum Bey B.A (1903 ), Representative of the Sudan Government at
Egypt. History and Geography of the Sudan, Part 3.PP( 10,231,414) . Part 2, PP(130-
132,200). Part 1, PP( 8)Dar El-Maarif Press, Egypt. Sudan National Records
Registeration Number 64.
38-Simerrat, F(2001). The Health Service Organizations. Jordanian Health insurance
Program Financial Affairs Manager.Amman.PP ( 1-12).
183
39- Simon Herbert A., Adminstrative Behavior, Third edition 1957. The Free Press a
division of Macmillan Publishing CO.INC. New York.
PP(20-35).
40- Skalqut, M.,W., ( 1985) Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th edition(42-
48). Mac Publishing Company.
41-Stephen Martin (2003) Hospital Pharmacy. Pharmaceutical Press, U.K.
PP( 74-81, 121-143).
42-Stone Patricia. and Curtis Stephen.(2002 ) Pharmacy Practice , Third edition. Unit
of Health Service Department, School of Pharmacy, London. Pharmaceutical
Press.PP (96-114).
43- Sudanese Army Headquarters, Managerial Committee (2002)The Situation of
Takaful.( unpublished ).
44- Sudanese Armed Forces Act 1986.
45- Sudanese Armed Forces Annual Budget Directives.
43- Sudanese Armed Forces, National Fund for Developing the Medical Services Act
1996.
46-Sudan Government, ( 2001) Health Insurance Act 2001.
47- Sudan Government, ( 2001)Pharmacy and Poison Act2001.
48- Sudan Government,(1995)Financial and Accountancy Procedures 1995.
49-Sudan National Health Insurance Directorate (2001), Regulations of Drug
Prescribing, Dispensing and Use.
50-Sudan National List of Essential Drugs (1995).
51- Sudan National Comprehensive Strategy(1992-2002).PP(25,52).
52- Sudan National Drug Policy 1997, 18 Pages.
53-Taylor Kevin and Harding Geoffery (2001) Pharmacy Practice, 2nd edition. School
of pharmacy , University of London. Taylor and Francis Publishers.PP( 82-99).
54- WHO, (11/1999), Report of Expert Committee on Essential Drugs.
55-WHO, (2001). Basic , Emergency and Supplementary Drug Kits.
56- WHO,(1985). Rational Use of Drugs, a report of the Conference of Experts in
Nairobi. WHO publications.
184
ﺃﻋﻮﺫ ﺑﺎﷲ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﻄﺎﻥ ﺍﻟﺮﺟﻴﻢ
185