On the 26th of Desember 2004, the news of the Tsunami caused a huge shock all around the world. Everyone felt concerned by the disaster and wanted to help the population in Aceh, who had lost so much.
In a rush of generosity, people gave materials, clothes, food, medicines and medical equipments, through mor or less experinced NGOs. At that moment nobody knew the real needs of the country, and a large part of those donations were completely inappropriate, particulary drugs.
Moreover, on arrival in the country, many of the donations containing perishable products had been dispersed in different places, regerdless of the lack of space, and lots of boxes were stored in poor conditions, exposed to elements.
What are inappropriate drugs?
All around the world, usual medicines are more or less the same, and they have an interntional non proprietary name or "generic name". But each country has drawn up a list of authorized drugs that can be used on its territory. Moreover, WHO (World Health Organization) has established a list of "essential drugs" and guidelines for drug donations, which give recomendations to donors.
However, these standars are not always followed by donors and a lot donated drugs are inappropriate. It means that they cannot be used in the country for several reasons :
The management of medicines and medical material has of course been deeply disturbed in every health facility and warehouse. Lack of space, lack of staff, so numerous boxes arriving at the same time and too often without packing lists and inventories, produced a critical situation : boxes were piled up in rooms to protect them from elements. Hence, the medicines were inaccessible and many of them with short expiry dates are now outdated, and have to be destroyed.
The best way to solve the problem is to take the time to sort out and to make inventories of all the donated drugs as soon as possible, particularly at the entry points (airport, harbors) in order to redistribute the appropriated medicines in the health system.
The non appropriated medicines should be centralized - as explained on the diagram - by the district warehouse which will organise the bringing back to the provincial warehouse.
The problem of inappropriate medicines is not yet solved, and many specialists are working to develop national guidelines for correct sorting and destroying disposals.
Sources : Pharmaciens Sans Frontiers - Comite International (PSF-CI) Indonesia, Directorate General of Pharmaceutical service and medical device, Ministry of Health
Moreover, on arrival in the country, many of the donations containing perishable products had been dispersed in different places, regerdless of the lack of space, and lots of boxes were stored in poor conditions, exposed to elements.
What are inappropriate drugs?
All around the world, usual medicines are more or less the same, and they have an interntional non proprietary name or "generic name". But each country has drawn up a list of authorized drugs that can be used on its territory. Moreover, WHO (World Health Organization) has established a list of "essential drugs" and guidelines for drug donations, which give recomendations to donors.
However, these standars are not always followed by donors and a lot donated drugs are inappropriate. It means that they cannot be used in the country for several reasons :
- Labelling : how difficult for Indonesia pharmacists, assistants, doctor or nurses to read a label in French, German or Chinese..
- Poor Condition of storage due to the massive arrival of drugs. It is not possible to guarrantee their quality. Indeed, the warehouses are designed to offer storage space for nomal use and regular comsumption.
- Expiry date : many drugs or sterile material have no expeiry date, and for others, the given date is too short or has already expired.
- Unused in the country and not on the official list of authorized drugs in puskesmas or hospitals. A different molecules, strength, presentation or way of administration can crate changes in prescription habits.
The management of medicines and medical material has of course been deeply disturbed in every health facility and warehouse. Lack of space, lack of staff, so numerous boxes arriving at the same time and too often without packing lists and inventories, produced a critical situation : boxes were piled up in rooms to protect them from elements. Hence, the medicines were inaccessible and many of them with short expiry dates are now outdated, and have to be destroyed.
The best way to solve the problem is to take the time to sort out and to make inventories of all the donated drugs as soon as possible, particularly at the entry points (airport, harbors) in order to redistribute the appropriated medicines in the health system.
The non appropriated medicines should be centralized - as explained on the diagram - by the district warehouse which will organise the bringing back to the provincial warehouse.
The problem of inappropriate medicines is not yet solved, and many specialists are working to develop national guidelines for correct sorting and destroying disposals.
Sources : Pharmaciens Sans Frontiers - Comite International (PSF-CI) Indonesia, Directorate General of Pharmaceutical service and medical device, Ministry of Health
.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment