Current status of medicines procurement

Procurement is an important part of efficient drug management and supply and is an important procedure for all levels of health care institutions. An effective procurement process ensures the availability of the right drugs in the right quantities, available at the right time, for the right patient and at reasonable prices, and at recognizable standards of quality. Thus, procurement is not simply the act of buying but encompasses a complex range of operational, business, information technology, safety and risk management, and legal systems, all designed to address an institution’s needs. Specifically, individuals involved in medicines procurement must determine, accredit, and monitor appropriate supply sources; evaluate suppliers’ performance; choose a buying strategy or approach; monitor drug delivery; assess clinical and use outcomes; and evaluate new products and the drug market. Successful hospital procurement is also a collaborative process, involving people with skills in purchasing, finance, management, clinical and nursing specialties, pharmacy, quality control, and even the end user: the patient.