E-drug: Drug Inventory Control System Network (cont'd)
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[Thanks for this excellent and very complete update, Val! HH]
Dear All,
EHG did carry out some work for WHO on computerised drug
inventory systems. The work initially involved looking at information
provided from various suppliers of inventory systems, although the
actual systems were not tested. We then developed a user manual
to provide information to managers on how to identify their
requirements, and the issues to consider when procuring, evaluating
and implementing a computerised system. This draft report was
submitted to WHO EDM some time ago.
Finding a suitable Drug Inventory Control System for medical stores
is a continuing problem. Judging by a recent survey that EHG
(Leif-Erik Stabell) conducted, it is not something that will be easily
resolved. He considered Invec2, mSupply and the systems used in
Mali and Tanzania as the most promising developments. Further
information on these systems can be made available. The focus of
the survey was on medical stores, so, (except for mSupply) we do
not know whether they are also suitable for hospitals. The section
below has been taken from his report.
Valerie Remedios
Eurohealth Group
Tinghojvej 77
2860 Soborg
Denmark
tel: +45-39547595/696888
fax: +45-39695888
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Status in Medical Stores
This overview is based on information supplied by people who are
working or have worked in the medical stores at national level. This
list is far from complete, but one would assume that any
success-stories would have been widely publicised, either by the
stores managers or (more likely) by the implementers. It is quite
clear that an 'ideal system' has not been found, and several of the
institutions mentioned in this table have indicated that they would
be willing to abandon their current system in favour of one that is
working satisfactory in another country.
A) Countries having implemented specialised Medical Stores
software:
Country Software Comments
Cambodia Invec-2 Considerable modifications done
Yemen Invec-2 Ongoing modifications
Zimbabwe Invec-2 Link to Pastel accounting package.
Looking for an alternative (integrated) solution.
MSH (Management Sciences for Health) claims to have Invec
installations in 15 countries, but most of those have been
abandoned. Still DOS-based, but a Windows version is expected
mid to late 2002 for pilot testing.
Cameroon MEDIS Made by Dutch pharmacists. Claims to
have installations in 6 countries.
Nepal Msupply Claim to have installations in 4 countries. This
software is updated regularly.
Chad GEMEDIC Made by AEDES, Belgium. In Chad, this is
about to be replaced by a customised version of the accounting
software. Also installed (and abandoned) in 6 other countries. DOS
based.
Madagascar Meteor French system, but the supplier has gone
bankrupt. Have also used a system based on Great Plains
accounting software. Looking for a new solution.
Mali SIGMED Developed by Q-RAY, Holland. In French,
but English version is expected early 2002.
B) Countries having implemented (or in the process of
implementing) a solution based on commercially available financial
management packages:
Country Software Comments
Tanzania Orion Accounting system with integrated stock control
module. A few customised modules. Should be fully implemented
by Dec-01.
Rwanda Exact Dutch accounting system with extensive stock
control / multi warehouse module.
Uganda Navision Financial Danish accounting system with
stock control module. DOS-based - looking for a Windows solution.
Burkina Faso ? Have used a tailor-made program - in the
process of implementing a commercial software package
Benin ? Have used a home-made program - in the
process of implementing a commercial software package
Kenya ? The medical stores (MEDS) linked to Pharmacists
without borders have implemented a commercial system with
customised reporting module.
DRC Exact Implemented for stores in 2 provinces (as for
Rwanda).
C) Countries having implemented (or in the process of
implementing) a solution based on other commercially available
software packages:
Country Software Comments
Botswana Triton Advanced American warehouse
management software, with radio controlled picking. Considerable
implementation problems.
South Africa PDSX and others Each province have their own
solution, but technical level and availability of support is not
comparable to the rest of the continent.
Namibia ? Still under development
Zambia Warehousing and distribution is currently out-sourced
to a South African company.
D) Countries that are still looking (and not afraid to admit
it........)
Country Software Comments
Malawi Have tried various solutions
Ghana Currently using an in-house system
Zimbabwe Invec-2 Looking for an integrated system.
Zambia Might need a system when the current out-sourcing
agreement expires (2005)
Swaziland Still undecided
Contacts:
The list below contains e-mail addresses to people who might
provide more information on some of the systems mentioned in this
section. Suppliers of the commercial software all have their own
web pages, and can be found on Internet by searching on the
respective product names.
Cambodia amorris@uinicef.org
Yemen yemdapmoph@Y.Net.Ye
Zimbabwe pchadenga@healthnet.zw
Cameroon cename@lom.camnet.cm
Nepal info@ss.org.np
Chad cpa.tchad@intnet.td
Madagascar salama@simicro.mg
Mali (SIGMED) Kaasschieter@Q-Ray.nl
Rwanda psp@rwandatell.rwanda1.com
Burkina Faso psf@fasonet.bf
Benin came.benin@bow.intnet.bj
Tanzania miel@msd.or.tz
Kenya cename@lom.canet.cm
South Africa Dmeyer@NPHW.NT.Healthlink.org.za
Systems:
Invec-2 jmcfadyen@msh.org www.msh.org
mSupply info@msupply.org.nz www.msupply.org.nz
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