Italian MPs visit Adama Branch
Italian Members of Parliament paid a working visit to the Adama branch of EPSA on May 07, 2019.
The MPs visited the branch serving as the only centre of excellence and raised questions on the activities of the pharmaceuticals supply chain.
Their voice…
While responding to questions raised by the MPs, Adama Branch Manager, Solomon Negussie explained that there is a 100% rate of reaching health facilities and hospitals through the 19 branches.
He further noted that the Agency is currently working to ensure direct distribution to health stations, Primary health care units, with 70% of them receiving pharmaceuticals directly. He noted that the remaining 30% access them through their Woredas.
While responding to the MP’s queries on the challenges of vaccination, the branch manager raised lack of fund for infrastructure expansion and the special traits of vaccines as the main challenges.
Another issue he raised as a major problem is the problem of quality of information. He noted that there is nationwide information problem on pharmaceuticals demand.
Recent developments that involve the use of RRF, he recognized, have enabled the acquisition of information on pharmaceuticals demand from almost all health institutions. He stated that the share of quality information out of the total is, however, less than 50%.
Deputy Branch Manager, Girma Obo, further explained that they have embarked on the use of M-Biranna mobile telephone app, telegram and regular consultation with supervisors to solve the problems of quality of information.
Solomon Negussie explained to the MPs the installation of ecologically friendly incinerators as an important step in reverse logistics.
The branch manager also spoke of plans to provide all health stations with vaccines until the end of this year.