Evaluating the availability of essential drugs for hypertension, diabetes and asthma in rural Rwanda, 2018.
Public Health Action 2021;
11:5-11. [PMID:
33777715 DOI:
10.5588/pha.20.0033]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SETTING
Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and asthma are on the rise in developing countries, including Rwanda; there is thus a need to ensure uninterrupted drug availability.
OBJECTIVES
To assess 1) the frequency and duration of drug stock-outs; 2) lead time duration 3) monthly stock levels; and 4) drug quantities requested vs. quantity delivered for captopril, metformin and inhaled salbutamol between January and December 2018 Kirehe District, Rwanda.
DESIGN
This was a cross-sectional study using secondary programme data.
RESULTS
The median annual stock-outs for captopril, metformin and inhaled salbutamol were respectively 4 (IQR 3-4), 3 (IQR 2-3) and 4 (IQR 4-5) at rural health facilities (RHCs); no stock-outs occurred at the district hospital. For all three drugs, the median lead time was 7.5 days (IQR 5.5-11.5) at the hospital vs. 5 days (IQR 3-6) in RHCs. Stock status for captopril was below the 4-week minimum stock level for 2/12 months at the hospital vs. 7/12 months at the RHCs, while metformin and inhaled salbutamol were below the 4-week minimum stock levels for respectively 1/12 and 4/12 months at both hospital and RHCs. Total drug quantities delivered were less than the combined total quantities requested in respectively 8/12, 5/12 and 8/12 months for captopril, metformin and inhaled salbutamol.
CONCLUSION
There is a need to regularly and effectively monitor drug stock levels and ensure timely and sufficient stock replenishment to avert stock-outs.
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