INCREASE ARV ACCESS FOR PLWHA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC THROUGH THE TRANSITION FROM VERTICAL SUPPLY SYSTEM TO AN INTEGRATED NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL SYSTEM
Author(s)
Valdez C1, Barillas E2, Espinoza H1
1Management Sciences for Health, Arlington, VA, Dominican Republic, 2Management Sciences for Health, Arlington, VA, WA, USA
In 2010, the Ministry of Health (MoH) requested USAID for technical assistance to implement interventions to improve the HIV/AIDS supply chain system. Assessments revealed that fragmentation of the pharmaceutical system contributed to stock-outs and expiration of antiretroviral (ARVs) and other medicines and supplies used by disease control programs (DCPs). The implementation of an integrated system was proposed as the most efficient and sustainable alternative to confront the HIV/AID pharmaceutical supply problems. Since 2011, the MoH with the support of USAID partners is integrating vertical DCP systems –including Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS- into a single pharmaceutical management system (SUGEMI, in Spanish). The implementation of SUGEMI included: (1) an evidence-based for the design of the system and implementation of particular interventions; (2) institutional strengthening of national and regional implementing units; (3) legal support through Ministry and Presidential Decrees; (4) development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Since 2014, the HIV/AIDS program has moved the ARVs from program specific stores to integrated warehouses; their personnel is using standardized SUGEMI formularies for requisition and delivery; and, has participated in national forecasting exercises leading to the procurement of quantities of ARVs, closer to the estimated needs of the patients. As a result of these interventions in 2014 and 2015, the availability of ARVs has increased from 40% to a 97% in health facilities and 70% to a 100% in central warehouse. Simultaneous interventions in various pharmaceutical management components, within an integrated national pharmaceutical system have contributed to increase the availability of ARVs in the Dominican public health system.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2015-11, ISPOR Europe 2015, Milan, Italy
Value in Health, Vol. 18, No. 7 (November 2015)
Code
PHP351
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine)