Publication:

Inventory control for drugs used in the urban training centre of a tertiary care hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Background Proper utilization of resources is of utmost importance in any health care establishment, because resources are limited. Scientific methods should be developed so that investment at a minimal cost can yield maximum returns. This can only be achieved by inventory control. The present study was conducted in the urban training centre of a tertiary care hospital where ABC and VED analysis of all categories of drugs used were done to identify the drug supply and utilization pattern.

Methods Drug expenditure of the urban training centre under the department of community medicine of R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital was analyzed using the ABC-VED matrix economic analysis from April 2012 to March 2013.

Results The total annual drug expenditure from April 2012 to March 2013 was Rs.52194.89.On ABC analysis it was found 12.50% of drugs fall under category A accounting for 70.82% of total expenditure, 21.87% and 65.63% of the drugs fall under category B and C respectively which accounted for 19.90% and 9.28% of annual expenditure for drugs. VED classification,  done after discussion with the medical officer revealed 21.87% drugs as vital,50% drugs as essential and 28.13% drugs as desirable drugs. ABC-VED matrix analysis revealed 28.12% drugs were Category I whereas 53.13% and 18.75% drugs belonged to Category II and Category III drugs respectively.

Conclusions ABC and VED analysis techniques need to be routinely adopted for optimal utilization of drugs and to avoid out-of-stock position.