E-drug: Setting up an ED system (cont)
---------------------------------------------
This is with regard to the proposal of the Karnataka Govt to establish an
EDL for the state.
The neighbouring state of Karnataka, Tamilnadu, INDIA, already has a
functional Ed and not only does it have a list, but also a very functional
Procurement, warehousing and Distribution system. Their list is very
comprehensive and drugs are provided free of cost to every patient in the
state of Tamilnadu, via their Government Hospitals.
For the Procurement, they have an Open Tender system. All their
warehouses (present in all districts) are connected via the net,
maintain appropriate
storage conditions (Including Cold Chain Maintainence in the tropical climate
of the state) all of which makes management of drugs easier, faster and
reliable.
The name of the Corporation is TNMSC standing for "Tamilnadu Medical
Supplies Corporation." 90% of the budget goes into the drugs present in the
list and the rest 10% into procurement of Out of List drugs, according to
the individual drug requirement of the Hospital. What impresses one the most
is that not only the common drugs , but expensive ones like Heparin,IV
antibiotics, Streptokinase , intraocular lenses, Inhalation aerosols like
Salbutamol and Beclomethasone etc. are available free of cost, and since
the procurement is centralised, the end cost to the government is relatively
much less than unorganised inventory control. They are now in the process of
bringing out a formulary of drugs available to them.
They are vying for an accreditation for distribution, from international
agencies (ISO-9 and 14). When such an existing system is already running
successfully in an Indian setting, i think it would be appropriate to take
Help and Advise from them. It is also a quasi governmental concern and would
be glad to lend a helping hand. I too was involved with a book that was
published by them , essentially a drug information guide of the drugs
available by the Corporation.
They also have a dedicated web site and can be contacted at www.tnmsc.com
Regards.
Lakhvinder Singh Batolar
Clinical Pharmacist
Patparganj, Delhi - 110092.
INDIA.
lakhvinder@email.com
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