Namibia's medicine stocks healthy
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Pharmaceutical supplies at the country's Central Medical Store (CMS) now stand at 76%, which is significantly higher than the same time last year when shortages were widely reported at public health facilities.
In a media statement by the health ministry, it was announced that at present, 895 or 82% of all active pharmaceuticals and clinical supplies are currently in stock, with only 195 items out of stock.
“It is a significant improvement on stock availability and compares favourably with similar operations. Of the 195 items out of stock, 137 or 70% are on order,” the statement read.
“Of the items not on order, several factors have been cited including cancelation of long-overdue orders by local suppliers and partial delivery. In these cases, we have initiated the process of requesting for advertisement, so that for the items currently out of stock and those not on order as well as items classified as facing potential stock out can be ordered.”
Antipsychotics back in stock
The statement pointed out that the majority of antihypertensives are in stock at CMS, adding that distribution around the country is ongoing as per orders from facilities.
Key antihypertensive medicines such as Perindopril and Amlodipine are also in stock and have been distributed, while health facilities were supplied with Amiloride HCT and Methyldopa in the previous distribution cycles.
“The majority of antipsychotic medicines which have been out of stock for some time due to disrupted global supply chains as a result of Covid-19 have been received at CMS.
“These include Chlorpromazine (CPZ) tablets, Haloperidol tablets and their respective injectables. Distribution to health facilities in the regions is ongoing. Diazepam injection is also available at CMS and distribution to facilities started in the second week of December,” the statement read.
ARVs in stock
Meanwhile, the majority of antiretroviral medicines are in stock, however, second-line medicines have been out of stock for a while due to the scarcity of the active pharmaceutical ingredients on the international market. One of the health ministry's suppliers has, however, confirmed that they have managed to obtain stock and have promised to deliver this month.
Anti-TB medicines are available, with the exception of a few that are out of stock, but are on order and to be delivered to CMS, the statement added.
“Due to the second wave of Covid-19, the supplier is booking space on aircraft to relay stock from Addis Ababa to Windhoek. Due to the limited number of aircraft flying to Namibia, the delivery of medical supplies and other items has been negatively affected. The supplier is urged to urgently secure cargo space, so that the stock can be delivered,” the statement said.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Pharmaceutical supplies at the country's Central Medical Store (CMS) now stand at 76%, which is significantly higher than the same time last year when shortages were widely reported at public health facilities.
In a media statement by the health ministry, it was announced that at present, 895 or 82% of all active pharmaceuticals and clinical supplies are currently in stock, with only 195 items out of stock.
“It is a significant improvement on stock availability and compares favourably with similar operations. Of the 195 items out of stock, 137 or 70% are on order,” the statement read.
“Of the items not on order, several factors have been cited including cancelation of long-overdue orders by local suppliers and partial delivery. In these cases, we have initiated the process of requesting for advertisement, so that for the items currently out of stock and those not on order as well as items classified as facing potential stock out can be ordered.”
Antipsychotics back in stock
The statement pointed out that the majority of antihypertensives are in stock at CMS, adding that distribution around the country is ongoing as per orders from facilities.
Key antihypertensive medicines such as Perindopril and Amlodipine are also in stock and have been distributed, while health facilities were supplied with Amiloride HCT and Methyldopa in the previous distribution cycles.
“The majority of antipsychotic medicines which have been out of stock for some time due to disrupted global supply chains as a result of Covid-19 have been received at CMS.
“These include Chlorpromazine (CPZ) tablets, Haloperidol tablets and their respective injectables. Distribution to health facilities in the regions is ongoing. Diazepam injection is also available at CMS and distribution to facilities started in the second week of December,” the statement read.
ARVs in stock
Meanwhile, the majority of antiretroviral medicines are in stock, however, second-line medicines have been out of stock for a while due to the scarcity of the active pharmaceutical ingredients on the international market. One of the health ministry's suppliers has, however, confirmed that they have managed to obtain stock and have promised to deliver this month.
Anti-TB medicines are available, with the exception of a few that are out of stock, but are on order and to be delivered to CMS, the statement added.
“Due to the second wave of Covid-19, the supplier is booking space on aircraft to relay stock from Addis Ababa to Windhoek. Due to the limited number of aircraft flying to Namibia, the delivery of medical supplies and other items has been negatively affected. The supplier is urged to urgently secure cargo space, so that the stock can be delivered,” the statement said.
[email protected]
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