Ministry gets help to review pharmaceutical processes
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is in the process of improving its pharmaceutical procurement and supply systems at Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS).
This improvement process is being done to ensure that Fijians enjoy the best possible access to essential medicines. Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar said the ministry had recently engaged a consultant to review the procurement processes and operations at FPBS. This is the way forward to bring about the much needed improvements, she said. The appointment of the consultant, who is an expert in the area of health supply chain management, with the support of the Australian government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been done to ensure the review of the FPBS system and to provide a plan for its improvement.
Ms Akbar said the report from the consultant provided a clear basis on which FPBS can begin to build a better system and was the basis of a draft plan that contains 40 specific action areas.
These action areas pertain to information systems and technology, purchasing and contract management, business processes, organisational structure and management. “We have set a timeline of around six months to address the challenges that include basically relooking at the entire FPBS operations,” Ms Akbar said.
She outlined a few of the challenges encountered in the procurement of medicines from the international suppliers.
“It can take months for deliveries of medicines to reach our shores.
“The lead time between placing an order for supplies and their arrival in Fiji is typically between three and six months.”