E-DRUG: primary health care clinic dispensaries (cont)
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Dear Billy
You may find the "yellow book" - Managing Drug Supply, second edition,
useful. In particular chapters 24 and 25. Although some sections are not
for primary care dispensing as such, the authors describe some underlying
principles of drug supply management which are critical to patient care.
In many of our PHC facilities there is a move to the so called
one-stop-shop. They do not advocate dispensing hatches in the smaller
facilities. The PHC prescriber has a trolley or a small cupboard in the
consulting room, from which he/she dispenses after establishing the
client's needs. Once or twice a week, or as needed, the supplies are filled
from a store room.
There are two distinct advantages of this system. One, the prescriber
can explain, in confidence and as part of the consultation, the therapeutic
objective and use of medicines. Secondly, it allows for a
transparent flow of drugs in the facility, hence avoiding those difficult
questions such as "who is using so much of drug X?"
The stocks in the store room are controlled by stock cards.
Prescribers sign for stocks when they collect them. Should you wish
to audit to drug use of the individual prescriber, the stocks drawn
from the store can be tallied with the prescribing record kept by the
presciber.
The key success factor being that all staff should be adequately
trained, of course.
I am keen to hear your opinion on this approach.
Helene Moller
Training Adviser, South African Drug Action Programme
e-mail: mollerh@hltrsa.pwv.gov.za, or 100077.730@compuserve.com
tel: 012 312 0375 fax: 012 323 6745
cell: 082 575 6251
[If E-druggers are responsible for drug supply, I recommend strongly that
they get a personal copy of the "Yellow Book", Managing Drug Supply, 2nd
edition. It is the "Bible" of all essential drug literature. Although USD
89 in USA, developing countries can get it for USD 24 plus postage. Contact
WHO, MSH or Kumarian Press. Strongly recommended! WB]
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