Why do Government drugs delay?
May 21, 2010
ON May 12, <i>The New Vision</i> editorial was spot on that distribution of drugs should be liberalised because of the delay involved in their distribution. Why do Government drugs in Uganda take so long to reach the countryside yet Government spends a lot of money to improve access to drugs and me
ON May 12, The New Vision editorial was spot on that distribution of drugs should be liberalised because of the delay involved in their distribution. Why do Government drugs in Uganda take so long to reach the countryside yet Government spends a lot of money to improve access to drugs and medical services?
Here in Iganga, most private drug shops order for drugs from pharmacies in Kampala and delivery is effected within 12 hours. This means the drugs are received the same day they are ordered.
However, according to your editorial, the National Medical Stores (NMS) delivers the drugs in 30 days! Taking 30 days to deliver drugs is an outdated method of drug distribution.
NMS should draw lessons from other countries. I have used a private company to transport medicine for the last 12 months and delivery has never exceeded three days. So, what is special with Daks Courier that delivers any order in any part of the country within 12 hours that NMS does in 30 days?
If NMS cannot cope with the global advancements in drug distribution, then they should let Government identify capable private players to do the job. As The New Vision correctly observed, any minute lost in drug distribution could determine the difference between life and death!
George Wabwire
Iganga
Here in Iganga, most private drug shops order for drugs from pharmacies in Kampala and delivery is effected within 12 hours. This means the drugs are received the same day they are ordered.
However, according to your editorial, the National Medical Stores (NMS) delivers the drugs in 30 days! Taking 30 days to deliver drugs is an outdated method of drug distribution.
NMS should draw lessons from other countries. I have used a private company to transport medicine for the last 12 months and delivery has never exceeded three days. So, what is special with Daks Courier that delivers any order in any part of the country within 12 hours that NMS does in 30 days?
If NMS cannot cope with the global advancements in drug distribution, then they should let Government identify capable private players to do the job. As The New Vision correctly observed, any minute lost in drug distribution could determine the difference between life and death!
George Wabwire
Iganga