During transport

Verify documents.
Ensure packing seals are used.
Use strong boxes/containers.
Provide reliable/well-maintained vehicles.
Ensure drivers are reliable.
Ensure rapid clearance at air and sea ports and through on-land borders.

At storage facilities

Limit acccess to only designated staff.
Limit the number of keys made for the facility; keep a list of people who have keys.
Secure all locks and doors.
Make unannounced spot checks.
Provide independent stock count/inventory control.

In health centers

Lock the storeroom/cupboards.

Have inventory control cards for each product.

Set maximum dispensing quantities.

Have dispensers record individual prescriptions and maintain prescription or dispensing registers.

Limit dispensing to authorized staff members only.

Monitor selected products

As additional protection against theft, monitor items that are fast moving, chronically in short supply, in high demand by customers, expensive, life saving, and easy to hide or disguise.

Two techniques for monitoring medicines

Select medicines likely to be stolen or misused (e.g., antibiotics, narcotics, psychotropics, antiretrovirals).

1. Check inventory records for stock on hand. Then, conduct a physical inventory (physically count the quantities on hand) and compare the results.

2. Check the inventory records to determine the consumption during a specified period. Then, check medical charts or prescription ledgers and count the number of treatment courses during the same period. Convert treatment courses into dose units and compare this figure with the stock issued from the storage area.

If you find a significant discrepancy, investigate further.