[india-drug] Response to EDL at PHC

["J.S. Bapna" <ibhas@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in>]

Response to EDL at PHC
-----------------------

Dear Prof Roy Chaudhury,

I agree with you that it is a matter of great concern we must work on 
ways and means by which the  quality drugs and quality dispensing in 
primary health care is maintained. This input will go a long way in 
this billion dollars project.

>From my experience of studies on aided RCH and  TB programmes, I know 
that the Government is not able to handle the logistics of procurement 
and distribution. The procurement is done by para-statels (Government 
Corporations) mostly non-technical persons and it takes as long as an 
year. The approval of the Health Minister has to  be taken for
finalizing the tender. During our study  we learnt from one of the
parastatel that some of the supplier know from the beginning that their

drugs will be approved. This kind of involvement of politicians is a 
matter of great concern.

The distribution to PHCs and SHCs is very erratic and delayed. There is
 no  support for transport. Norms for it and the provision of finances
is not there in spite of fund available in the aided programmes. The
bulky boxes of drugs have  to be carried by the ANMs when they come to
the District for their  monthly meetings. They find it a very difficult
task.

Drug use is another concern. Most of the workers at the centers say 
that the drugs such as antibiotics, surgical dressings, bandages etc.,
that are needed most are not supplied. Drugs that are not needed are 
supplied in large quantities, these are even duplicated through state
supplies. 

Another example of pressure is from pharmaceutical companies.
The pharmaceutical services such as information to the patient is non 
existent as most of the dispensing is done by compounder, ANM or an
illiterate attendant.

I strongly feel that without developing an infrastructure and setting 
up of norms, it will be a futile exercise.

JS Bapna




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