E-DRUG: Use of SUMA/PIMS extended beyond emergencies in Pakistan
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Use of online pharmaceutical inventory & tracking tool (SUMA/PIMS)
extended beyond emergencies in Pakistan
The Pharmaceutical inventory and tracking system (SUMA/PIMS) proofed
significant advantages in managing humanitarian supplies during an
emergency. It the fact that humanitarian medical supplies continues long
after the emergency, and use of the system continues for months and even
years after the disaster.
Such is the case in Pakistan where SUMA/PIMS was set up after the 2005
earthquake by World Health Organization (WHO) essential medicines team in
collaboration and support from Americas. The system was initially set up in
WHO/Ministry of Health warehouses in Islamabad and later at affected sites
and distribution centres in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Mansehra, and
Battagram.
Once users had been trained by the WHO/PAHO team, they became master
trainers in how to use the program in other locations, bringing together at
least 30 organizations/health partners that helped manage medicines.
Experienced team at WHO Pakistan and health authorities enabled to react
quickly and efficiently during floods in Sindh and Baluchistan (2007); the
earthquake in Baluchistan (2008); the displacements (2009), and the floods
that have been hit large areas of Pakistan since August 2010. In the latter
case, implementation of the program in affected districts has helped detect
shortages in medicines and medical supplies and maintain an appropriate
logistical chain by providing updated reports on supplies and distribution.
Up till 2009 the SUMA/PIMS was running on standalone system with manual
integration of data. The experiences from difference disaster amalgamated
into online database concept that leads to a new version of the SUMA/PIMS.
Mr. Victor Martinez from PAHO/WHO office provided technical assistance for
this new version of the program that includes aspects such as real-time
online database, user-site-action control system, consolidation and
comparison of stock data, special reports with different deadlines,
inventory levels, and reports by sector or storage location, as well as the
improvement of lists that make it possible to print data subsets based on
the assistance needs that arise.
The Pakistani team found the following advantages to using the SUMA/PIMS:
-System runs separate database application for each site making it
secure, independent and speedy
- System database and reporting services (stock balance, levels etc) runs
parallel that makes the information real times as well as reporting service
doesnât need any formal training making it widely used by managers.
- Unique user-site-action control system enables the easy authorization of
users for certain sites access as well as the privilege to perform
functions/actions; for example the user 1 is assigned only to access
information from site 1 and 2 and he or she has privilege to do all
functions/actions starting from entering, editing and deleting but she
might not have access to get information from site 3 and 4.
- System enables the consolidation of stock from all sites that enables
the stock movement during emergencies as well as efficient use of stock
during normal operations before expiry.
- The system helps classify donations by type, donor, and priority. This
makes it possible to evaluate inventory levels and examine neglected
categories, and to generate reports from different sites where the
distribution and use of assistance are being coordinated.
- The classification of medicines by âtherapeutic categoryâ helps experts
suggest alternatives.
- Better regulation of inventories shows current supplies and those that
are lacking. Designation of minimum and maximum control points makes it
possible to regulate the demand for supplies during the rehabilitation
phases.
-The monitoring and graphic representation of distribution ensures
coverage for missing supplies in priority areas.
- Data from previous years helped in the drafting of contingency plans and
the relocation of supplies in vulnerable locations.
- It was possible to construct an institutional record by provider, based
on purchases and conduct.
- Flexible use of calendars by expiration date and designation of levels
ensure that no medicine expires due to lack of review.
If anyone is interested we are happy to support in proving the training.
For more information please contact Waqas Ahmed at
zaibiw@pak.emro.who.int and Victor Martinez at martinev@paho.org
Thank You and Regards,
Waqas Ahmed
Technical Officer
Essential Medicines and Health Products
WHO Pakistan
Waqas Ahmed <waqaspharmacist@gmail.com>