The pharmaceutical supply management is
a fundamental component of the Health System. Access to
medicines is still a challenge in most of the countries.
The Regional Network of Pharmaceutical
Procurement and Supply Management Authorities (Cariprosum)
was created in November 2004 with the participation of
National Procurement Authorities (NPA) of Caribbean
Countries with the mission of “To promote the continuous
availability of affordable pharmaceutical products meeting
standards in safety, quality and efficacy, for Caribbean
public health program and services, through inter-country
and regional cooperation”.
CARIPROSUM network is an opportunity to
enhance the technical cooperation related to the
pharmaceutical management supply in the Caribbean, to
consolidate the partnership and to look for common solutions
or interventions in the field of the Procurement.
The objectives of the Network are:
-
To promote dialogue and share
experiences in pharmaceutical procurement;
-
To harmonize norms, standards and
administrative procedures in pharmaceutical procurement;
-
To strengthen the capacity for
purchasing and distributing essential drugs;
-
To foster technical cooperation
among countries.
Scope of work:
The network will focus on common issues
relating to pharmaceutical procurement and supply management
including:
Standards in pharmaceutical
procurement and commodity management;
Procedures and administration for
efficient, effective and transparent procurement
management;
Cost containment through supply
management, pricing transparency and intellectual
property regulation;
Disaster and emergency management
of pharmaceuticals and donated goods;
Information management, tools and
resources required for procurement, storage and
distribution;
Operational research of best
practices, methodologies and technologies;
Systems evaluation of the
procurement and supply management process examining
objective, process and result.
The primary function of the Network is
to:
Provide a forum for agencies to
share experiences, harmonize norms, standards and
process, and foster cooperation in pharmaceutical and
supply management;
Strengthen capacity and to provide
continuity in the development and implementation of the
regional program of work.
The creation and the support of the
Cariprosum Network is part of the Project ACP/WHO
Partnership on Pharmaceutical Policies with the financial
support of the European Union.