E-drug: Re: Drug inventory control software (contd)
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I have just read Rene and Jerome's comments and will add my dollar worth to the
discussion.
As part of UNICEF's support to the national ED programme in Cambodia we started
working on improving national inventory control in 1996 including
computerisation of the CMS and staff training etc. After reviewing several
software packages - none of which were suitably tried and tested - we chose
INVEC-2 from MSH knowing that there needed to be modification of the
programme.
After the last 20 months using the software and ongoing e-mail dialogue
(monthly) with MSH for software modifications I think we have a good package
(almost an INVEC-3?) - Government staff can handle it easily, in built
performance reports etc.
Obviously we had to pay MSH for the initial software modification and
installation training but ongoing support and minor modifications have been
free. I could provide our (independent) inputs on this package if needed.
I agree with Jerome that UNICEF is well placed to lead a review of this type. I
could devote some time to a first review which could include:
1. setting and agreeing basic performance criteria for a package with a core
group
2. comparison of software packages with criteria in 1. (as claimed by the
software source)
3. shortlisting of software
4. checking with existing users of the packages to confirm or amend the
performance table
5. trying out the best packages in an actual setting.
We can then see if an ideal package exists or which package could be most easily
modified to suit the majority needs. My experience is that although the
objective is to have a package that can be used in all settings, final
modifcation to fit an actual country's needs will still often be needed even
if it just modification of reports presentation/screen displays, field
widths because of currency issues etc. and so the ease of adaptation would
be one of the performance criteria.
I'll discuss the status with Hanne at Supply Division to see where we stand on
this issue but no promises at this stage.
Andrew Morris
amorris@unicef.org
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