Introduction

Ineffective pharmaceutical management hampers effective medicine provision. Problems such as a failure to use the essential drug lists, treatment guidelines for common conditions, lack of understanding of how medication works, sideeffects and availability of medicine are widespread in the healthcare system. There are also issues around drug interactions, natural substances, herbs, over the counter medication and traditional medication.

All staff involved in the process of medication provision form a vital link in the effective and sustainable management of medicine. It is essential to ensure the availability of stock to provide the correct medicine, to the relevant patient, at the correct time. The development of systems in a given context to facilitate these processes, should be known and followed.

Course Description

This course provides an orientation for sustainable effective and efficient provision of medicine in public health facilities. The course covers structural and regulatory aspects, medicine management systems, the essential drug list, medication interactions, supply chain management, levels of authorised prescribers, and related policies and guidelines.

Target Audience

Medical staff (e.g. students, interns, community service doctors/physiotherapist/radiographers).
Nursing staff (e.g. students, community service nurses, professional nurses, and staff from other provinces or the private sector).
Pharmacy staff (e.g. students, interns, community service pharmacists) and other healthcare providers (especially interns, community service providers).

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, you will be able to:

Understand and apply legal and structural requirements of the provision and management of pharmaceuticals.
Outline the role of each category of health professional as a link in medication supply and management, and special buy-outs.
Use essential drug lists, for effective patient care per level and category of care.
State the importance of treatment guidelines for common conditions, the relevance of how medication works, side-effects and interactions.
Prevent and manage stock-outs.
Use the referral procedures effectively.
Perform document management.

Course Content

The Key themes/topics that the course will cover:

National Medicine Regulatory Authority, Acts and guidelines, healthcare professional bodies, registration of healthcare professionals, regulation of practice, responsibilities and omission.
Structures in the healthcare system. For example, the five regions of Gauteng Department of Health and the relationship to National Health, Head Office, Medicines Supply Depot, Regional Offices, and Sub-regions inclusive of the differences between regions of a metro/municipality and urban and rural areas are presented with the effect it has on medicine supplies.
Essential drug lists and how it is used at all levels for effective patient care per level and category of care (universities and training, draining areas), e.g. Green (NTG with Additional green) (PHC) , Yellow (adults) Purple (Paediatrics) and special buy-outs, referral and legal implication of records.
Treatment guidelines for the most common conditions on each level of care.
How medication works, its side-effects and interactions.
Supply chain management to prevent and manage stock outs.
Referral procedures.
Documentation, record keeping and legal implications.

Admission

Registration or pending registration with the relevant Professional Council, doctors, nurses physiotherapists, radiographers and dentists.

Training Delivery

The course will be delivered through contact at the worksite or appointed venue.

Requirements

Working in a health facility.

Duration

Duration of the course is two days.

assessments

There are no formal assessments.

award

A Health Systems Trust Certificate of Completion will be given to students who complete the course.

fees

The course fees vary, based on the number of enrolments by an organisation for the short course. A quotation per student will be given by the Course Co-ordinator, Cassius Semaushu at Cassius.Semaushu@hst.org.za . Course fees must be paid in full prior to the course start date.