Computerization of drugs’ stock position by Oct

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Computerization of information pertaining to drugs stocks in all state hospitals is to be completed by October. Computerization was necessary to avoid drug shortages that occur in state hospitals from time to time, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to him, the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD) will operate as the main hub of the network. Data on all drugs and the stock position at all state hospitals will be made available under this system.

All information could be obtained at any time by any person. This is the first time such a system has been established by the Health Ministry. The new network system will avoid drug shortages especially artificial drug shortages that occur in state hospitals from time to time through making it possible to check stocks regularly and exchange stocks between state hospitals.

The issue of outdated drugs too can be prevented through this system by moving extra stocks from one state hospital to another on demand, he said.

At the moment the ministry dispatches CDs to state hospitals annually and the hospitals insert information on their drug requirements into the CD and return it to the ministry.

Then the ministry provides drugs stocks to the needy hospitals. But this system has inherent weaknesses which can overlooks drug shortages. The demand for certain drugs in some hospitals goes up (due to various reasons) creating a shortage while extra stocks of the same drug are available in other hospitals and becomes outdated without being using. But both hospitals and the MSD do not have a system to share this important information swiftly, he added.