Other OECS/PPS Benefits

Apart from pooled procurement, OECS/PPS provides the countries with a wide range of related services, which include training and technical assistance, common drug formulary manual, drug utilization studies and quality assurance.

OECS/PPS has regularly conducted Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminars in the member states to keep health practioners up-to-date on the best practices of rational drug use.  In conjunction with the Continuing Medical Education  (CME) seminars, OECS/PPS has conducted a series of Drug Utilization Reviews on chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, mental disorders and asthma.  The purpose of the Drug Utilization Review is two-fold: to assess doctors’ prescribing practices, and to devise intervention strategies to enhance prescribing behaviour.

Since inventory control is an important aspect of drug supply management, OECS/PPS has convened seminars on inventory management to ensure that the health facilities have a regular supply of quality pharmaceuticals.  In addition, the countries have been equipped with INVEC, a highly sophisticated tailor-made database computer program, that maintains a perpetual inventory record of all issues and receipts.  The OECS countries have now developed better techniques for forecasting quantities which have decreased the incidence of stock outs, expired items, obsolescence and expensive emergency orders.

OECS/PPS has implemented a comprehensive quality assurance program to ensure that each imported drug is efficacious and acceptable.  The quality assurance program encompasses pre-qualification of selected suppliers, contractual purchasing agreements, and regular testing of priority drugs at three laboratories.  The OECS/PPS Tenders Sub-committee has short-listed 13 critical drug entities with inherent bio-availability problems including phenytoin, digoxin, warfarin and slow release oral dosage forms. 

The OECS/PPS produces a biennial Regional Formulary Manual which is a compilation of core essential drugs common to the nine (9) participating member states.  A core list of essential drugs has also significantly reduced wastage because funds are not tied up in over stocks and non-essential items.  The manual is not merely a drug list, but contains drug information to aid prescribers in appropriate drug use.