The primary purpose of a drug supply management system
is to guarantee the continuous availability of medicines and public
health supplies.
Pharmaceutical
Supply Management and Access to Medicines - PPT
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The pharmaceutical supply cycle is managed through an integrated system
including the following functions: planning and programming of needs,
procurement, storage and distribution, and monitoring and evaluation.
Within the Region of the Americas, although deficiencies exist within
most national pharmaceutical supply management systems, a number of
countries have developed capacity in supply management of pharmaceuticals,
for example the Cooperative of Hospitals in the Province of Antioquia,
Colombia (COHAN).
To improve access to medicines PAHO aims to provide
support to countries to strengthen public health commodity supply
systems and ensure continuity and availability of product in the supply
chain. In addition, PAHO proposes to strengthen regional pooled procurement
mechanisms, such as the PAHO Strategic Fund established in 2000, in
the supply of low-cost quality essential public health supplies.
Inter-country support in pharmaceutical support in pharmaceutical
supply management is being fostered through the establishment of new
partnerships and networks, for example the Regional Network of Caribbean
Procurement and Supply Management Authorities, CARIPROSUM
