Supply chain management is a topic that is well described and taught to students during their studies. In relation to the pharmaceutical sector, supply chain management is well organized starting from the Public sector (Central warehouse of MoH, Hospital Pharmacies and MFMC Central Pharmacies) and private sectors ( Kosovo Medicines Agency, Distributors, Community pharmacies) to the consumer.
The pharmaceutical industry develops, produces, and markets drugs or pharmaceuticals for use as medications. When this medicine is not used by the patients it becomes a waste that has to be disposed ensuring to find the best possible way of doing it.
The idea is to raise the awarenesto the safe disposal of pharmaceuticals, among institutions and individuals as well.
What are FDA's recommendations for removing unused medicines from the home?
The best solution is the medicine take-back program or using authorized collectors such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Authorized collection sites may include retail pharmacies, hospital or clinic pharmacies, and law enforcement locations. Some pharmacies may also offer mail-back envelopes to assist consumers in safely disposing of their unused medicines through the mail. After collection, these pharmaceutical will be disposed of. There are a lot of methods, for each form of medication, but each country decides what methods will work best for them.
The take-back or mail back program is not available in our country. Most unused or expired medicines can be disposed of in household trash. Reducing the risk of harm from accidental exposure to this small country is essential, the FDA and Environmental Protection Agency in the US. prescribe different methods that are safer to humans and environment.
These stakeholder are identified as the Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical manufacturer, Community pharmacies and random consumers. A visit will be had to a pharmaceutical manufacturer in Kosovo to discuss about their ways of disposing of waste pharmaceuticals. The same will be done at Central Warehouse at the Ministry of Health. Instead of getting information on the disposal methods they apply, we will promote the take back program that is applicable in developed countries.
The plan is to go through all stages of fieldwork. There are typically three stages involved in Fieldwork: pre-field stage, field stage and post-field stage. Participants will be provided with clear expectations and will be motivated to take an active role in the process.
During post-field stage the data obtained from the group work will be gathered and analyzed. In small groups students will present the findings using graphs/charts and supporting literature. In their groups participants should identify constraints and barriers and suggest potential stakeholders that could get involved in the future.
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