An investigation of the human factor in the effective management of the revolving drug fund:a case study of Nyamira district

Abstract

Drugs form the essential component of preventive and curative health services, Significant demand against limited funds and high prices contribute to frequent shortages of drugs in many public health facilities. One way of financing drugs and other pharmaceuticals supplies has been through the establishment of Revolving Drug Funds (RDF) in which, after initial investment of funds, drug supplies are replenished with monies collected from the sale of drugs.

In Kenya, the Ministry of Health has such a .fund which operates on the following principles; firstly, the RDF sales of drugs are directly to the patients and collects its revenue through its cash collection system. Secondly the system does not promote drug sales for co-financing purposes but aims at supporting the Prescribers and to provide better medical care, and patients' access to the essential drugs at reasonable prices. Thirdly, the project guarantees equal drug prices throughout the district regardless of the health facility status. Lastly the project operates on sound business management principles with commitment to the public health goals.

The context of this project is to carry out an analysis of the management of the Nyamira Revolving Drug Fund and evaluate its effectiveness in addressing issues of access, availability and affordability of drugs as envisioned in its implementation plan. It was concluded that the management of Nyamira RDF effectively set up management structures that aided in achieving its objective of ensuring that drugs were available, accessible and affordable to its intended target group.