Nepal Health Research Council published a research report entitled, ”Quality of Essential Medicines in Public Health Care Facilities of Nepal, 2019.”
Result of study
To assess the quality of essential medicines available in public health care facilities of Nepal, Nepal Health Research Council conducted a cross sectional descriptive study in 21 districts representing all seven provinces. The result of this study shows that out of 244 batches of 20 different generics of essential medicines, 37 batches failed to meet the required pharmacopeial standards which constitute 23 (62.16%) batches of medicines supplied by Government of Nepal and 14(37.83%) batches purchased from local resources. Among 62 health facilities, only 13% of health facilities were found to follow the medicine storage guidelines regarding sunlight protection, humidity protection, heat protection and maintenance of ventilation. Maximum temperature and humidity record was found to be 37°C and 86% respectively.
Conclusion of study
A high number of essential medicines available in public health facilities are found to be substandard indicating great public health threat in Nepal. Altogether 37 batches of seven generics of essential medicines were found substandard.
Recommendations
- There should be provision to assess the quality of essential medicines supplied in health facilities.
- Stringent rules and regulations should be made along with their effective implementation to prevent substandard/counterfeit medicines from entering into pharmaceutical supply chain.
- All the infrastructures required for storage of medicines should be established and maintained in all Regional medical stores and health facilities.
- DDA should strengthen its resources to ensure quality of medicines that are widely being used in pharmaceutical market of Nepal.
FULL RESEARCH REPORT IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.NHRC.GOV.NP
Latest Posts
- WHO prequalifies new oral simplified vaccine for cholera
- Call for Research Participants: Public Health Competencies in Nepal: Current Status and Way Forward
- Call for expression of interest: Mobilizing young people in the fight to End TB: WHO 1+1 Initiative
- A Country Report on Measuring access to Assistive technology (AT) in Nepal
- Advanced Module Public Health Systems Challenges and Opportunities: The Case of Nepal
Thanks for visiting us.
Disclaimer: The resources, documents, guidelines, and information on this blog have been collected from various sources and are intended for informational purposes only. Information published on or through this website and affiliated social media channels does not represent the intention, plan, or strategies of an organization that the initiator is associated with in a professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly indicated.
If you have any complaints, information, or suggestions about the content published on Public Health Update, please feel free to contact us at blog.publichealthupdate@gmail.com.
#StayUpdated
