1.0 Introduction

CHAZ Pharmaceutical Services establishment was an outcome of the members' call for an improved pharmaceutical service to church health institutions. The aim was to contribute to access and affordability of essential medicines and medical supplies and that these should be used appropriately (rationally

1.2 Mission

Supplying essential medicines, medical supplies and medical equipment of assured quality to the church and other not for profit health facilities at affordable prices and to promote appropriate use

1.3 Products and Services Provided
1.3.1 Revolving Drug Fund

The unit provides wholesale supply of essential medicines and medical supplies (Revolving Drug Fund). CHAZ Pharmaceutical Services procures medicines and medical supplies from reputable international suppliers which are then sold to mission, government and other not for profit health institutions.

1.3.2 Procurement, Storage and Distribution Services

Through service contracts CHAZ Pharmaceutical Services procures, stores, provides inventory management and distributes ARVs to health facilities. Clients are charged procurement, storage and distribution fees for the service.

1.3.3 Drug Management Training

CHAZ provides Pre-service and in service training in Drug Management and Rational Drug Use to pharmacy staff (pharmacists and pharmacy technologists). These activities have been implemented with the support of CORDAID.

2.0 2007 Review

2.1 Objectives for 2007

2.2 Ensure availability of affordable, safe, effective, high quality and cost-effective essential medicines and medical supplies.

2.3 To establish a quality assurance system for medicines.

2.4 To distribute antiretroviral drugs and drugs for opportunistic infections.

2.5 To improve capacities in management of ARVs and other essential medicines.

2.6 To market products and services offered especially the revolving drug fund.

2.2 Achievements

2.1 Contribution to availability of essential medicines

2.1.1 Revolving Drug Fund

The performance of the revolving drug fund decreased in 2007 as is seen the graphs below. According to the business plan, the projected sales were ZMK1, 150,000,000.00; but only managed to reach KZMK 818,827,600.00 in 2007. The main reasons for the drop were the non approval of the business plan and the re-structuring process.

Sales by Month (2006 vs 2007)


Sales Trend 2000 to 2007

2.2 ART Logistics Management

In November 2007, CHAZ joined the national logistics management system. In this system, all reports from CHAZ ART sites are sent to the Logistics Management Unit (LMU) based at Medical Stores Ltd. LMU generate reports and orders which are sent to CHAZ. CHAZ then distributes ARVs to the sites.


2.3 Drugs for Opportunistic Infections

Through the Diflucan Partnership Programme, Pfizer provides Diflucan® free of charge to patients through Church Health Association of Zambia in an effort to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and suffering from Cryptococcal Meningitis and Oesophageal Candidiasis. Both these infections are capable of causing life-threatening complication for patients with depleted immune systems.

Diflucan Program’s 2007 objective was to scale up, expand and increase access to Diflucan ® through effective and timely reporting from member institutions.

The expected results of the objective were the improved quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS that presented Cryptococcal Meningitis and Oesophageal Candidiasis.

Progress made in the implementation of program during the period covered were:

• Received Diflucan® (tablets, oral Suspension and IV) worth U$ 505,674.50

• Distributed Diflucan® worth U$ 626,285.63 living a balance in stock as at 31st December 2007 at U$ 441,552.76

• Reported 934 patients presented with Cryptococcal meningitis and 2,201 Osophageal candidiasis (accumulatively)

• Thirty Seven (37) facilities benefited from the program. The program is in all the provinces in the country. They include 34 CHIs and 3 mine hospitals on the Copperbelt Province.

• Distributed other medicines for opportunistic infections under Global Fund HIV/AIDS R4.

COMPARISON OF DIFLUCAN® RECEIVED IN 2006 TO 2007

SN DESCRIPTION JAN – DEC 2006 JAN – DEC 2007

1 Intravenous infusion (IV) 160 Vial x 100ml 350 Vial x 100ml

2 Paed. Oral suspension 136 x 35ml 288 x 35ml

3 Diflucan® Tablets 200mg 4,592 x 28 tablets 2088 x 28 tablets

TOTAL RECEIVED U$ 1,046,299.12 U$ 505,674.50


2.4 Storage and Distribution

CHAZ distributed drugs (ARVs) to 30 sites on a monthly basis. There were no reported stock outs of ARVs at all sites. We also distributed HIV/AIDS commodities to two mine hospitals supported by ZNAN.

• Value of ARVs received in 2007 was USD 1,107,549.3

• Distributed ARV medicines to 25 ART Sites

• Value of ARVs distributed in 2007 was USD 806,666.62

• Participated in the national ART Forecasting and Quantification.

2.5 Establishment of Quality Assurance System for medicines

Two minilabs were procured with support from CRS. One member of staff was trained in QA for medicines and implemented the system. However, due to inadequate space the testing was suspended.

2.6 Promoting Rational Use of Drugs

2.6.1 Pharmacy Technology Training

Supported training of 4 pharmacy technology students at Evelyn Hone College. One completed and is waiting for results.

3 Challenges

• Inadequate transport for supportive visits and distribution

• Inadequate storage space resulting renting space for some products such as nets and medical supplies

• No funding for some planned activities such as indicator study and in service training in rational drug use

• Inadequate technical staff and drivers

• High turnover of pharmaceutical staff at member institutions

• Delay in reporting by ART sites

• Inventory management not computerized

• Timely distribution in hard to reach areas

4 The Future

• Expand storage capacity for pharmaceuticals and other health products

• Review and implement the Revolving Drug Fund business plan

• Carry out indicator study and in service training in rational drug use

• Complete Computerization of inventory and sales management

• Access to Medicines Baseline Study

• Storage and Distribution of Pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical products

• Continue supporting ART program through procurement, storage and distribution of HIV/AIDS commodities