Annual Report of the Department of Health 2010 - Unrwa

ESTABLISHMENT OF A DTC “DRUGS THERAPEUTIC COMMITTEE” IN SAR FIELD
IMPROVING RATIONAL USE OF DRUGS IN THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC FIELD
Rational drug use is an essential component of good practice in health care. As part of the reform process
within the Agency, the Health programme advocated for the establishment of Drug Therapeutic Committees
(DTC) in each Field. Such Committees would be charged of
- evaluating and selecting drugs for the formulary list,
- providing advice on all aspects of drug management,
- developing drug policies,
- overseeing and reviewing the implementation of UNRWA policies and procedures on rational use of drugs,
- promoting effective interventions for rational drug use by patients, prescribers and assistant pharmacists
through education and regulatory mechanisms,
- Implementing DTC recommendations.
Main achievements
In 2010, a DTC committee was established in the Field. The essential drug list was reviewed with the participation
of all medical officers in health centres, and a list to update the essential drugs in the formulary was
proposed. Scientific tools such as the ABC and VEN
Analysis were used to rationalize use of drugs in case of budget cuts.
Awareness on the rational use of drugs was raised by conducting monthly workshops to discuss the best ways
for diagnosis and treatment of the most frequent diseases. A newsletter on the proper use of drugs with
indications, contra-indications, cautions, drug interaction, side effects and preferred dosage was produced.
Finally, supervisory visits to all health centres were made and the patient’s cards were checked to ensure proper
implementation of UNRWA policies and procedures on rational use of drugs.
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