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Bridging the gap: the role of pharmacists in managing the drug supply cycle within non‐governmental organizations
Author(s) -
VillacortaLinaza Rocio
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the international journal of health planning and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1099-1751
pISSN - 0749-6753
DOI - 10.1002/hpm.1023
Subject(s) - procurement , business , work (physics) , essential medicines , distribution (mathematics) , bridging (networking) , pharmacist , supply chain , health care , public relations , pharmacy , economic growth , marketing , political science , nursing , medicine , economics , engineering , mechanical engineering , mathematical analysis , computer network , mathematics , computer science
Abstract Access to essential medicines remains one of the biggest problems that developing countries are facing in health care systems. Non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) are implementing health programmes on the ground in areas affected by natural disasters or conflict. A vital component of these health programmes is the drug supply system. Based on a field research conducted in Pakistan 2007 and a field work experience in Afghanistan within an international NGO—Merlin—this paper analysed the four functions of the Drug Supply Cycle (Selection, Procurement, Distribution and Use) focusing attention on the importance in management support systems once the emergency phase is over. It shows the core role that the pharmacist plays within NGOs as a member of the health staff with the ability to improve the management of the Drug Supply Cycle. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.