In a statement, the Ministry said that this step is part of the department’s mission to ensure adequate and continuous supply and take all necessary measures to prevent and mitigate any supply shortage.
Pursuant to Ministerial Order 459 of August 22, 2022, it was decided to establish an advisory committee including all stakeholders, which will be responsible for identifying the needs of drugs and health products affected by this strategic stock, especially medicines of major therapeutic interest (MMTI).
This committee will also have to identify measures that will be put in place to ensure a continuous supply to health professionals in the public and private sectors, as well as an uninterrupted supply to patients, the statement reveals.
There will be a quarterly assessment of the national strategic stock to decide on the measures required for its safeguard, says the same source, indicating that the Directorate of Medicines and Pharmacy will coordinate this advisory committee.
The depletion of stocks of drugs and health products and supply tensions have multi-factorial origins at all stages of manufacture and distribution, which are increasingly frequent in an unfavorable international situation, says the statement.
It further notes that the Ministry of Health and Social Protection is working to implement the National Plan to combat disruptions in the supply of drugs and health products as part of the new national pharmaceutical policy.
In addition, the Ministry calls on all health professionals in the public and private sectors to work closely with the advisory committee for the success of the operation to identify the needs and measures necessary to build and secure the national strategic stock to ensure continued access to drugs for patients and health professionals, concludes the same source.
