Abstract:
In most developing countries, citizens always complain of drug stock-outs in hospitals and
health centres. On the other hand, the ministry Health in Ugandan: for example, has
employed companies like GREEN LABEL to incinerate expired drugs across all health units
in the country. This implies that Uganda’s Health Units are not experiencing just drug stock outs
but rather “Right drugs stock-outs”.
Research was made through questionnaires, document reviewing and interviewing the health
workers in four health units to determine the right solution to the problem. The research
showed that the National Medical Stores (NMS) has introduced so far two methods to try
eradicate the problem. First is the Push method which involves sending drugs directly to the
H/C from NMS and the PULL method which allows health Centre (H/C) workers to make
requests for the drugs they want. However, the problem still prevails due to a lot of paper
work being employed to collect information, make drug requests, reports and making follow
ups. Most interviewees embraced the development of the Drug Supply Chain Management
Information System (DSCMIS) which appeared to them as the best solution. This is a web
based system developed using PHP language to help link the databases with the three
interface modules of NMS, Districts and H/Cs. This system was developed to enhance
information flow which was the major reason for right drug stock-outs.
In nutshell, there has been less usage of technology in drug distribution chain because many
think it is expensive but on contrary the existing ways to collect data is inaccurate and more
expensive in the long run. Therefore, with the DSCMIS the drug requests can be made easily,
monitoring and follow up done remotely which reduces the transport expenses and losses due
to extensive drug expiry.
