Abstract:
Background: Government has a free medical supply system but frequent quality failures are
reported. Though there is a recall procedure, the general impression is that, when the quality
failure circulars are received by the hospitals most of the drugs have been used. There could be
major consequences as health risk and financial lost due to that. The health risk could be of two
ways. One risk is the disease will not control or cure as they will not get the therapeutic effects
with the poor quality drugs. Secondly it will produce unwanted side effects due to bad quality.
Earlier, government policy of claiming for quality failed drugs needed to produce the amount of
quality failed items physically in order to reimburse for that quantity from the manufacturer.
Objectives: To assess the quantity of consumed quality failed drugs in last 2 years (2017-2018)
in Western Province health institutions and to analyze the primary consequences using ABC and
Vital, Essential and Non-essential (VEN) system as indirect methods.
Methodology: Study setting is above the Base Hospital level health institutions in Western
Province (10 institutes). All the quality failure recall circulars (n=56) were considered. Hospital
data and a format were used to analyze the quantity of quality failed drugs used at the time recall
circular received.
Results: Out of 56 circulars to recall a particular batch/product of drug, the relevant drug has
been used 100% for 24 circulars (nearly 50% circulars). On average 54% drugs have been used
when the notification reach the institution. Some vital drugs (life-saving drugs) have been used
83%. Averagely it was more than 25% for all vital drug circulars. The category A drugs (the
unit cost if high the overall purchased quantity is comparatively low) have been used more than
53%.
Conclusions: A greater percentage of quality failed drugs have been used when the health
institution received the circular to recall/withdraw the product. Vital drugs have been used more
than 50%, could have resulted major health risks. Category A drugs have been used more than
50% showing a significant lost as their unit cost is very high. Therefore a proper quality failure
recall procedure should be established as soon as possible. Further studies should be also carried
out to find out the issues and the best options.
