Pharmaceutical Services

The objective of the pharmaceutical services component is to ensure a regular adequate supply of effective, safe and affordable essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment in the public and the private sector and ensuring their rational use.

The Drug Administration and Control Authority (DACA) and Pharmaceutical Administration and Supply Services (PPASS) of the Federal Ministry of Health are the two responsible bodies in the pharmaceutical sector.

The local production of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies has increased consistently. By the end of 2003, three of the 13 pharmaceutical manufacturers have received DACA’s licenses for export. The number of importers has also increased from 49 in 2001/02 to 70 in 2003/04. Except for the drug shops that show increment from 250 to 375, the number of pharmacies has decreased from 304 to 302 and rural drug vendors from 1,950 to 1,783 for the period 2000-2001 (1992-94 EFY). Drug formulary and standard treatment for different levels of health facilities have also been developed. In general, the availability of drugs in the health facilities has improved.

To build the capacity of Drug and Quality Laboratory, new equipment, including a complete condom testing equipment has been installed at a cost of Birr 3.5 million. Guidelines have been developed and distributed on drug and pesticide registration, adverse drug reaction reporting, drug advertising and promoting, imports and wholesalers working methods, and standard for intravenous fluid production in hospitals. Inspection guideline has also been distributed to all regions where the regional pharmacists were given delegated responsibilities for inspection and licensing. In year 2003/04 (1996 EFY), achievements made in inspection of health care units and drug outlets; and in-service training on drug management were 65% and 76% of the planned targets respectively. Studies have also been conducted on adverse drug reaction monitoring and drug information.

With regard to pharmaceutical human resource, the number of diploma schools for druggists and pharmacy technicians has increased resulting in increasing number of these groups of personnel in the public sector. A school of pharmacy was also opened in Jimma University in 1994 EFY, and the same year the School of Pharmacy in AAU started two postgraduate courses. Recently, the private teaching institutions have started training in pharmaceutical areas. Several trainings have also been conducted on different topics and the produced guidelines. Moreover, a drug information bulletin is being published regularly.

The national availability of essential key drugs, based on a survey result published in 2003, was 75%, 85% and 95% for public health facilities, regional drug stores, and private retail drug outlets, respectively. The general availability of drugs has improved significantly. On the other hand, the general average for presence of expired drugs by year 2003 was 8%, 2% and 3% in health facilities, regional drug stores and private retail drug outlets, respectively.