Pacific Logistics

Medical Logistics
Pacific Logistics

Session Objectives

Definition
Principles

Administration

Transport

Storage (cold chain)

Distribution

Excercise
Pacific Logistics

Definition

Medical logistics is the logistics of pharmaceuticals,

medical and surgical supplies, medical devices and
equipment, and other products needed to support
doctors, nurses, and other health and dental care
providers because its final customers are
responsible for the lives and health of their patients,
medical logistics is unique in that it seeks to
optimize effectiveness rather than efficiency.
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Principles

Do no harm;
Adherence to recognised standards ;

Quality is essential - no local purchase unless

certified by pharmaceutical professional;

Only medical professionals can order supplies;

Cold chain – people and the equipment;

Security
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Supply Chain

Needs assessment
Ordering

Procurement

Transport

Storage

Distribution
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Supply Chain Procedures

Done by medical people, logisticians and other

technical people = multi-sectoral;
Logistics looks into the local availability and quality

of medical supplies; transport lines; storage options;

cold chain; customs procedures; distribution
methods/modalities.
Medical organisations are quick in providing basic

medical assistance in emergencies – 48-72 hours

(IEHK);
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Ordering & Procurement

 Medical personnel in charge of ordering
Logistics personnel to provide accurate figures on stock levels;
Logistics triggers minimum level ordering;
Logistics to ensure regular ordering, avoid emergency orders;
Logistics to ensure correct labeling and terminology requested

 Logistics personnel in charge of procurement

Project , capital , international
Most drugs are ordered through big pharmas for the quality control;
Donations of drugs are not advised;
Order tracking and tracing
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Minimum Label Information

 Common international denomination (cid or generic name);

 Lot (batch) number;
 Pharmaceutical form and strength;
 Manufacturers name;
 Quantities by bottles;
 Packing condition;
 Expiry date;
 Must be in local languages (script)
Pacific Logistics

Transport

• TYPE
•Air- for emergencies, expensive/fast
•Road – for normal operations, optimal/medium to fast
•Sea – for large quantities, cheap/slow
•Railroad – for large quantities, cheap/slow

•CUSTOMS ARRANGEMENTS
•COLD CHAIN
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Storage

To maintain permanent stock of drugs

and essential products of quality;
To reduce costs;

 To save time and optimize work of staff;

 To facilitate management verification

and continuous evaluation of consumable

products;
Area for immediate distribution/

pharmacy;
 Area for non-priority

distribution;
 Storing area (bulk supplies);
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Storage, Environmental Factors

HUMIDITY
 Fungus and bacteria;
 Hastens chemical reactions;
 Tablets may soften up;
TEMPERATURE
• Vaccines & some other drugs require cold chain (refrigerators, ice boxes);
 Registry & control of temperatures (responsible person, thermometers);
 Loss of strength, degeneration into toxic product;
 Follow directions on label. ;
 Avoid extreme temperatures;
 Ambient temperature: 15-30oc
 Refrigeration temperature: 2-8oc
Freezing temperature: 0 - -15oc

LIGHT – KEEP DRUGS OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT

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Storage, Control & Monitoring

• Maintain stock levels;

• Do not allow stock at zero for needed products;
• Shelf life control (fifo, fefo);
• Expiry dates;
• Spoiling signs;
• Turbidity on liquid solutions;
• Colour changing;
• Bubbles in liquids;
• Swollen bottles (plastic).
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Storage, Layout
Space/volume (1m3 storage = 3m2 floor space);
Security (doors, locks, windows, ceilings);

Separate areas for dispensing and warehousing;

Proper ventilation;

Insulation;

Concrete construction with concrete floors;

Cold countries – cold chain needs to be maintained just

the same;
Shelves (metal, no wood);

Receiving area/distribution area;

OHS issues for staff;

Stock control (stock cards & other paperwork);

DG’s, Restricted drugs, etc

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Distribution

• Delivered to the health provider

not directly to the population;
• According to request and existing
stock;
• Remember cold chain;
• Close coordination among
organisations and institutions that
receives these supplies and the
MOH;
•Logistics responsibility stops at the
point of delivery.
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Exercise

BUILD A PHARMACY

Type of drugs;
Fifo / fefo
Packaging;
Controlled substances;
Cold chain;
Expired drugs;
Access & security;
Work area;
Paperwork.
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Questions