Over the last two years, shortages of many prescription drugs have become a problem for patients, hospitals, physicians and pharmacists alike. 

However, thanks to sound inventory policies, cost-effective inventory management and leading edge technology, these shortages have had little effect on the drug supply for inpatients at The Scarborough Hospital.

In 2003, TSH was just the third hospital in Canada to implement robotic and bar code technology to assist with patient drug dispensing.  In addition to improving patient safety, it has also facilitated effective inventory management.

“TSH has one of the highest inventory turnover rates in Canada when it comes to hospital inpatient medications,” said Director of Pharmacy Services Patricia Macgregor.

“Despite this high turnover rate, the hospital has been able to avoid problems with our inpatient drug supply, due in large part to comprehensive strategies we put in place even before these shortages became so widespread.”

The hospital pharmacy closely tracks the medication needs of its patient population and uses several strategies to ensure availability of appropriate medication therapy during a drug shortage situation. These include receiving it in another form (for instance, liquid instead of capsule) or different package size, using a different drug in the same class, or receiving the drug from an alternate vendor. TSH is also able to access supply through the retail pharmacies located at the General and Birchmount campuses.

In addition, for many years, TSH has been part of a group purchasing organization with many other Canadian hospitals, which helps to regulate prices, vendor contracts and conditions.

The group purchasing organization takes action to ensure there are an adequate number of contracted vendors available to supply the required medications. These pharmaceutical vendors also improve the consistency and robustness of the supply chain by working with the raw material providers and internal processes.

“The successful management of our inpatient pharmacy really comes down to the outstanding staff at TSH who is dedicated to creating the safest environment for our patients in every situation,” stresses Patricia.