MSD launches drug labeling plan to curb drug theft

Cosmas Mwaifwani, MSD Acting Director General

 

State run Medical Stores Department (MSD) has launched a project to label all essential drugs to curb theft by dishonest health workers.

MSD Acting Director General Cosmas Mwaifwani said the move would ensure safety of drugs in public health facilities.

He said the decision to label the drugs and other medical supplies was reached following public complaints from patients over safety of the drugs.

He said the government would not sit back and watch few dishonest people taint its image and deny the majority their right to better healthcare.

Mwaifwani said the special ‘markings’ would help inspectors indentify counterfeit drugs. He appealed to the public to be vigilant and report any health worker stealing drugs.

MSD is an autonomous department in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare charged with furnishing the nation good quality drugs and medical equipment at reasonably affordable prices.

Meanwhile, Mwaifwani said that MSD has as well embarked on a project to supply drugs and medical equipment to health centres and hospitals across the country to ensure that they reach the beneficiaries.

Opening a one day awareness seminar to health workers on the MSD’s new approach, he said the pilot project was implemented in Tanga and other 10 regions and that it produced good results.

In the past, MSD supplied drugs and medical supplies to District Medical Officers who in turn supplied their respective health facilities.

However, Mwaifwani said this system has been abandoned because MSD has learnt that some District Medical Officers were not providing the drugs on time and that some of the drugs were even expired before reaching their intended destinations.

He said MSD is determined to reach all regions, including all remote areas to ensure that the drugs are available in all the country’s public health facilities and all year round.

MSD Manager in the North Zone, Celestine Haule, said availability of the drugs in Tanga region was only 30 per cent before the project was implemented.

After its introduction, drug availability jumped to 80 per cent.
The rest of the nation is expected to enjoy similar results come July this year when the new system will be put to effect countrywide.