Zarqa, Aug. 13 (Petra) — The Ministry of Health is working to adopt
a more proactive approach to medicine procurement, based on actual
consumption and projected needs, to help maintain supplies and
improve the management of pharmaceutical resources.

The approach was discussed during a visit by Minister of Health
Ibrahim Bdour on Thursday to the Procurement and Supply Directorate
in Zarqa, where he reviewed procedures for purchasing, supplying,
storing and distributing medicines and medical supplies to the
ministry’s hospitals and health centers.

The visit comes ahead of preparations for the ministry’s budget and
medicine procurement tenders for next year, and in line with Prime
Minister Jafar Hassan’s directives to focus on medicine security and
the sustainability of supply chains.

Bdour said preventing interruptions in medicine supplies is a
priority, stressing that procurement decisions should be based on
actual consumption data and expected requirements rather than
responding to shortages after they occur.

He called for next year’s tenders to provide more accurate estimates
of required quantities by reviewing consumption rates at hospitals
and health centers, setting safe stock levels and taking into account
the time required to complete tendering, awarding and supply
procedures.

He also stressed the need to improve coordination between the
Procurement and Supply Directorate, warehouses, health directorates,
hospitals and health centers, while keeping stock, consumption and
needs data updated to allow early action when supplies approach
minimum levels.

Bdour highlighted the importance of redistributing medicines among
ministry facilities according to actual needs and using strategic
stocks and regional warehouses to support continuity of supply and
address changes in demand or challenges affecting supply chains.

He said the approach also seeks to improve pharmaceutical spending
and reduce waste resulting from excess stocks or expired medicines by
balancing adequate supplies with procurement based on the actual
needs of health facilities.

The minister added that the ministry will conduct a comprehensive
review of its medicine requirements as it prepares next year’s
budget, prioritizing essential and critical medicines and items with
high consumption rates.

The visit forms part of the ministry’s efforts to improve
pharmaceutical supply, storage and distribution operations and ensure
the timely delivery of medicines and medical supplies to its
facilities.

//Petra//WH