Crown Agents has extensive experience in supporting government initiatives to improve the transparency and efficiency of procurement systems across a number of sectors. This is particularly true in the health sector where we have provided a comprehensive range of services to strengthen the procurement and logistics requirements that are necessary to ensure a timely, effective and efficient supply of pharmaceuticals and medical products to the various hospitals and medical centres.
Supply chain management
In many cases, consistent and reliable supply chain management information is not available and this lack of information means that the procurement and eventual despatch of drugs and medical equipment is based on estimates and not actual usage or utilisation. This results in shortages and overstocking issues which for the health sector can in some cases be a life and death situation. Overstocking issues not only results in financial wastage but in some cases can affect the quality of the drug or vaccine that is being delivered to the patient. It is therefore essential that the appropriate medical supplies are not only available at the point of delivery but they meet the required standard of quality.
Developing systems
Crown Agents can assist in development of processes and systems that can make a real difference in the quality and delivery of medical supplies to the point of delivery. The implementation of detailed technical specifications, quality control processes and IT systems can make a real difference to delivery of medical supplies. A fully developed IT System that contains both procurement and logistics functionality can transform the procurement planning process by providing stock usage and utilisation figures which help to reduce wastage and improve the quality and availability of medical supplies at the point of delivery. It will also be used to monitor and report on supplier performance, streamline the tendering and procurement processes and provide a more effective response to urgent or emergency requirements when they arise.
In India we are working with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare as part of a DFID funded project to develop and strengthen their supply chain processes. As part of this project we have helped implement ProMIS - a web-based procurement management information system with an easy to use 'user-friendly' interface. ProMIS is a centrally designed web based system that is available to warehouses and district medical offices all over India through a simple internet connection. It has been designed to capture and report on both procurement and warehouse stock levels and utilisation figures for central, state and district warehouses throughout India. The ability to monitor supplier performance, quality control requirements and to view stock levels at each warehouse will eventually provide radical improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the medical supply chain process in India. For more on this project look at See Also section on the right.