12 Feb 2015

On average, drug availability in the health facilities is at 89 per cent (vital 91.6 per cent, essential 87.2 per cent, non-essential 87.7 per cent), the Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Alfred Madigele, has said.

Responding to a question in Parliament, Dr Madigele said it was difficult to achieve 100 per cent drug availability because of challenges which include use of manual inventory control records which coupled with the high mobility of the population, led to inability to accurately quantify drug needs at facility and national level.

The other challenge, he said was weak supply chain management system and shortage of specialised pharmaceutical personnel and support staff for maintaining the supply chain management system at health facilities. 

“The above reasons outline why we are unable to achieve 100 per cent availability,” he said.

He added “it is important to note that even with an average drug availability above 80 per cent the Ministry of Health can adequately cover health needs of the nation, because there are always equally effective alternatives that can be prescribed in case one drug is not available.” 

This, he said was work in progress, adding that strengthening of their supply chain management system was one of the initiatives that had been prioritised and was currently ongoing. 

He said this has led to the development and implementation of a Five Year Medicines Supply Chain Strategy, outsourcing of the Central Medical Stores warehousing and Distribution system; introduction of framework contracts, weekly monitoring of drug availability levels at hospitals and training of health workers and support staff in good inventory management and procurement practices.

Francistown West MP, Mr Ignatius Moswaane had asked if Dr Madigele was aware that it had always been reported that drug availability in all government hospitals was at 80 per cent, compared to the recommended 100 per cent drug availability. 

He also wanted to know why it was  difficult to achieve 100 per cent drug availability. He further enquired about the plan to normalize the situation and how long the process would take. ENDS