E-DRUG: Better drug and antibiotic use is associated with more policy implementation (4)
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Thank you Kathy and David for this great article.
We would like to share our experiences concerning our efforts to
implement Fiji National Medicinal Products Policy.
In Fiji the National Medicinal Products Policy (NMPP) was updated in 2013.
It was acknowledged that there is no point in having a Policy if it is
not implemented.
Therefore, with the support of WHO, a widely consultative process was
undertaken with all players in the pharmaceutical system to develop a
Strategic Plan for Implementation of the Policy. The players included,
for example, all components of the Ministry of Health pharmaceutical
sector, educational institutions and university faculties, hospital and
clinical staff, private sector importers and retailers, donors and
customs authorities.
The result was a Strategic Plan of Activities which, if implemented,
would support the NMPP.
In the plan activities are clearly articulated along with the necessary
outputs, outcomes, who is responsible, an estimated timeline for
undertaking the activity and a means of verification.
This plan is providing a really helpful 'road ahead'. It can be seen
clearly what needs to be done to achieve the desired outcomes and the
staff of the units leading the Fiji pharmaceutical sector are taking on
the activities in a logical sequence with enthusiasm. It is envisioned
that effective implementation of the NMPP will result in quality
improvement and strengthening pharmaceutical services and the sector as
a whole.
The rational use of medicines area includes working with a National
Medicines and Therapeutics Committee, maintaining and using updated
Standard Treatment Guidelines, training staff around all elements of
RUM, undertaking drug utilisation studies and conducting and evaluating
interventions aimed at best use of medicines.
The Fiji NMPP and the Strategic Plan can be downloaded from the MOH website
http://www.health.gov.fj/PDFs/policy/Fiji%20National%20Medicinal%20Products%20Policy%202013.pdf
or
http://tinyurl.com/nwpwvte
http://www.health.gov.fj/files/reports/Fiji%20Pharmaceutical%20Sector%20Strategic%20Plan%202013-2018.pdf
or
http://tinyurl.com/n3pex5k
Apolosi Vosanibola, Chief Pharmacist,
Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services Centre, MOH, Fiji.
Apolosi Vosanibola <avosanibola@govnet.gov.fj>