who medicines strategy - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization

WHO MEDICINES STRATEGY 2004-2007 | 74EO 4.2Medicines supply managementimproved through trainingprogrammes and careerdevelopment plans to increasecapacity and reduce staff turnoverRationaleRunning a national medicines supply systemrequires a wide range of knowledge andskills, to be applied in a professional mannerat appropriate points in the supply system.In developing countries, where medicinesaccount for 25%-65% of total health spending,improvements in medicines management skillscan result in significant savings for the publicsector.Governments have the responsibility forplanning and overseeing the training and careerdevelopment of staff in the national medicinessupply system, and for allocating adequatefunding for staff development. Managing humanresources well is a complex task, requiring effortsto ensure that the appropriate staff are trained andavailable, that staff are motivated and kept up todate, and that staff turnover is not too high. Thoseinvolved in the medicines supply system shouldreceive training in medicines management,supervision, and key administrative skills.Efficient medicines management is based on fourkey functions, which form the basis of existingtraining courses on medicines management:selection, procurement, distribution, and use.ProgressWHO and partners have organized international,regional, and national training courses inmedicines management, including:> Heidelberg University and Swiss TropicalInstitute module course on “Rational DrugManagement” as part of the TropEd EuropeanMasters programme in International Health,since 2002.> MSH/IDA course on “Managing Drug Supplyfor Primary Health Care”, annually, since1995.> MSH/IDA course on “La Gestion Optimaledes Médicaments pour les Soins de SantéPrimaires”, annually, since 2003.> World Bank course on “Integrated Approachto the Procurement of Health Sector Goods”,since 2002.> MSH/Stop TB regional courses on “DrugProcurement for Tuberculosis”, since 2001.> CPA distance learning programme forhealth care workers involved in medicinesmanagement, on “Managing Drug Supplies”,since 1995.> Pharmaceutical Assistants Training, for healthcare workers in faith-based health facilities inKenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.Challenges remainingOne of the consequences of the free movementof goods and services is the exodus of trainedprofessionals from developing countries in searchof better paid jobs in industrialized countries whichhave a shortage of trained health and pharmaceuticalprofessionals. In addition to this brain drain, manydeveloping countries are also experiencing the loss ofwell trained health and pharmaceutical personnel dueto HIV/AIDS.The procedures involved at country level in applyingfor grants from the Global Fund, the World Bank, andthe US President’s HIV/AIDS Fund, and for suppliesfrom the Global TB Drug Facility distract alreadyover-stretched medicines management staff from theirroutine tasks and duties. All these challenges resultin an increased need for trained personnel and forincentives to keep them in public service.