E-drug: Storage of drugs matters (cont'd)
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Product quality assurance procudures must be established
throughout the supply chain from raw materials through
manufacturing, distribution (all transport and warehouse links), to
the service delivery or retail outlet. For contraceptive commodities,
USAID supports random sampling and testing of commodities in its
pipeline as well as follow-up on complaints.
Further, proper handling instructions should be provided to the
client (patient, customer) in the same way that they must receive
instructions on how to take the product in oder to assure
therapeutic value.
Knowing and implementing proper storage specific to the products
being handled is a key logistics management element. The need to
assure quality through all links in the supply chain also illustrates
one reason why it is desirable to minimize the number of links
between the manufacturer and the end user. Reducing the number
of handlers means that there are fewer points to monitor for
potential breakdown of product quality.
John Durgavich
John Snow Inc. USA
e-mail: john_durgavich@jsi.com
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