E-drug: Course Announcement
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MANAGING THE PROCUREMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS AND
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH is offering a two-week
course for pharmacy and medical supplies departments and central
medical stores, senior managers, and procurement officers from
government ministries, NGOs, international and donor agencies, who
manage or supervise the local or international procurement of
pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
Venue: East London, South Africa
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course examines how the key principles of procurement impact
the efficient and effective management pharmaceuticals and medical
supplies. Participants will learn how the use of practical tools based
on these principles can improve the availability and use of these items.
Participants will examine issues of tendering and contracting for local
and international procurement including compliance with the
requirements of various funding agencies. Examples will be drawn
from broad international experiences of the course directors and
invited speakers.
The course will be conducted in English and will consist of
presentations, discussions, individual and group activities, and
fieldwork. Many sessions include computer-based activities in which
participants learn how to conduct analyses of procurement practices
through innovative software packages and basic programs. This
course is participatory, and the exchange of skills and experience
among participants adds depth to the learning process.
COURSE DIRECTORS
Michael Gabra is a pharmacist with substantial experience in drug
procurement, stores management, distribution, and drug needs
quantification, and logistics management. He has long-term experience
in Malawi, Switzerland and Zambia. He has extensive experience as a
trainer and has co-directed a regional course on drug procurement held
in Kazakstan for NIS countries.
Jean-Pierre Sallet oversees MSH's drug management activities
involved in information systems for managing drug supplies in South
Africa. He designed and developed a drug inventory control and tender
forecasting software package for the Eastern Caribbean Drug Service
and installed the system in various countries in Francophone Africa,
and Latin America. In Senegal, he evaluated the Community Health
Financing scheme for distribution of pharmaceuticals and assisted the
World Bank to develop procedures for an international competitive
bidding process.
COURSE CONTENT
The following topics will be covered:
- Forecasting/quantifying needs
- Selecting an appropriate procurement strategy
- Selecting and monitoring suppliers
- Managing tenders
- Contracting for drugs and supplies
- Analyzing and controlling drug expenditures
- Improving supply management information systems
- Dealing with drug donations
- Quality assurance for procurement
COURSE FEE AND APPLICATION
The fee of US$3,450 covers tuition, course materials, shared
accommodation, breakfast and lunch. Participants should plan to bring
sufficient money for incidental expenses such as laundry, postage,
and telephone calls. Airfare and health insurance are the responsibility
of the participants/sponsors. Details about exact course location and
lodging will be provided at a later date.
The course is limited to 25 participants. Early applications are
encouraged. In order to confirm registration, MSH must receive a
letter, fax, or e-mail guaranteeing payment by 23 July 1999.
Please send requests for applications to:
Management Sciences for Health
Drug Management Program
1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 710
Arlington, VA 22209
USA
Phone: +1-703-524.6575
Fax: +1-703-524.7898
e-mail:training@msh.org
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