New Policy Needed for Medicine Stock Updates: Tudravu

There is a need for a new policy requiring pharmacies to regularly update the Ministry of Health and Medical Services on the stock levels of free medicines, says permanent secretary Dr Jemesa Tudravu.

He made the comment while updating the Standing Committee on Public Accounts about the free medicine scheme and shared changes to the ministry’s structure and ongoing challenges.

He addressed anomalies in the scheme, particularly for 2018 and 2019, as identified in the audit report.

Dr Tudravu stressed the need for a policy guide for pharmacies to regularly update the ministry on the stock level of free medicines; as this would assist streamline inventory management and timely restocking.

He addressed issues in the scheme for 2018 and 2019, as noted in the audit report.

Dr Tudravu also stressed the importance of having pharmacies regularly update the ministry on medicine stock levels to improve inventory management and restocking.

“We are looking to implement a system where pharmacies can send us updates on their stock levels, allowing us to monitor what needs replenishing,” Dr Tudravu said.

He then provided an update on the major transition in the scheme, which took place in 2022.

In the past, the ministry was responsible for replenishing medicine stock in pharmacies, a process that saw frequent oversight on logistics management.

New model

However, the new 2022 model shifted the responsibility onto pharmacies. Under this model, pharmacies use their own record, and the ministry reimburses them for the medicines dispensed to patients.

“We are finding positive feedback on the new system, though, as with any new model, there are challenges that come with it,” he said.

He said 50 retail pharmacies have transitioned to this new model, a move designed to improve efficiency and accountability.

These pharmacies have been approved by the ministry.

However, the committee raised questions about how these pharmacies are selected for participation in the scheme.

“When we offer expressions of interest or tenders, do you select the pharmacies or is it open to anyone who wishes to provide the medicines?” asked one member of the Committee.

Dr Tudravu said in the previous model, all pharmacies were able to participate. However, with the new system, only pharmacies that meet specific criteria and have signed contracts with the ministry were dispensing medicines under the scheme.

“We have a contract with the pharmacies under the new model, they supply from their own stock and can charge the ministry for reimbursement,” Dr Tudravu said.

In response to a follow-up question about tracking claims from the approved pharmacies, Dr Tudravu said claims were processed monthly.

“We are paying out on a monthly basis as soon as a claim is submitted by the pharmacies,” he said.

As the ministry continues to refine the free medicine scheme, it remains committed to addressing challenges to ensure the programme’s success and sustainability.

With ongoing scrutiny and improvements, the ministry’s free medicine scheme will continue, with hopes of greater efficiency and broader access to essential medications for the public.

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