Zarqa, Aug. 13 (Petra) -- The Ministry of Health is working to adopt a more proactive approach to medicine procurement, based on actual consumption and projected needs, to help maintain supplies and improve the management of pharmaceutical resources.
The approach was discussed during a visit by Minister of Health Ibrahim Bdour on Thursday to the Procurement and Supply Directorate in Zarqa, where he reviewed procedures for purchasing, supplying, storing and distributing medicines and medical supplies to the ministry’s hospitals and health centers.
The visit comes ahead of preparations for the ministry’s budget and medicine procurement tenders for next year, and in line with Prime Minister Jafar Hassan’s directives to focus on medicine security and the sustainability of supply chains.
Bdour said preventing interruptions in medicine supplies is a priority, stressing that procurement decisions should be based on actual consumption data and expected requirements rather than responding to shortages after they occur.
He called for next year’s tenders to provide more accurate estimates of required quantities by reviewing consumption rates at hospitals and health centers, setting safe stock levels and taking into account the time required to complete tendering, awarding and supply procedures.
He also stressed the need to improve coordination between the Procurement and Supply Directorate, warehouses, health directorates, hospitals and health centers, while keeping stock, consumption and needs data updated to allow early action when supplies approach minimum levels.
Bdour highlighted the importance of redistributing medicines among ministry facilities according to actual needs and using strategic stocks and regional warehouses to support continuity of supply and address changes in demand or challenges affecting supply chains.
He said the approach also seeks to improve pharmaceutical spending and reduce waste resulting from excess stocks or expired medicines by balancing adequate supplies with procurement based on the actual needs of health facilities.
The minister added that the ministry will conduct a comprehensive review of its medicine requirements as it prepares next year’s budget, prioritizing essential and critical medicines and items with high consumption rates.
The visit forms part of the ministry’s efforts to improve pharmaceutical supply, storage and distribution operations and ensure the timely delivery of medicines and medical supplies to its facilities.
//Petra//WH
