Guide to Drug Financing Mechanisms: Chapter 3. Distribution

Guide to Drug Financing Mechanisms
(1998; 64 pages) [French] [Spanish]

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
	Objectives
	Audience
	Concepts
	Plan of this book
Chapter 1. Selection
	Objective of selection
		Avoid drugs of no therapeutic interest
		Reduce the number of drugs
		Increase the efficiency of available drugs
	The criterion of economic efficiency
		Measurement of costs
		Measurement of effects
	Selection: important points
Chapter 2. Procurement
	Objective of procurement
		Procure the quantities strictly required
		Procure drugs at the least cost
	Procurement strategies
		Blind confidence
		Systematic distrust
		Cooperation
		Constraints on procurement strategies
	Organization and structures
		Centralized or decentralized organization?
		Monopoly or competition for procurement?
		Public or private structures?
	Procurement: important points
Chapter 3. Distribution
	Objective of distribution
		Geographical access
		Physical access
		Economic access
	Improving distribution
		Reduce stock shortages
		Reduce distribution costs
		The method of delivery
		The role of the information system
	Financing of consumption
		Two preliminary questions
		Methods of financing
		The role of the financing system
		Methods of payment
		Distribution: important points
Chapter 4. Prescribing
	Objective of prescribing
		The economic and human costs of rational and irrational prescribing
		Reduce economic costs of irrational prescribing
	Making prescribing rational
		How are prescriptions made?
		Methods of rationalizing prescribing
		The prescribing environment
	Prescribing: important points
Summary: contributions and limitations of the economic approach
	The criterion of economic efficiency for the selection and utilization of drugs
	Organizing procurement and distribution
References
Selected WHO publications of related interest
Back cover

Chapter 3. Distribution

Distribution consists in the routing of drugs from procurement agencies to consumers. The term “pharmacy” here denotes the economic unit that distributes and dispenses drugs. It may be part of the health services (a pharmacy at hospital or health centre) or a community pharmacy, and it may be run by a qualified pharmacist or by other personnel.