System analysis and strategic development for medicinal product importation

Abstract

To analyze the factors affecting current importing system for modern medicinal products and to synthesize strategies to improve the performance of system. The study designs used for this qualitative research included 1) content analysis 2) key informant interview 3) case study (by studying the processes and measurements used in the current importing system) and 4) situation analyzing and synthesis of strategies. The results from the analysis of current situation and factors affecting the effectiveness of the importing system found that the system still had the limitation on numbers of operators, budgetary as well as the cooperation among relevant organizations, i.e., the Customs and Thai FDA. The proposed strategies to improve the importing system were as followed; 1) to speed up the establishment of National Single Window 2) to increase communication channels by setting up the information center and promote inter- and intra-organizational communication 3) to complete database of modern medicinal products 4) to motivate the officers through the reward system 5) to improve the competency by sharing experiences among involved officers 6) to increase the number of ports of entry of FDA and the number of instruments for screening testing 7) to establish the task force among organizations for infringement detected at the port 8) to identify factors related to the improvement of importing system as key performance indicators 9) to develop more effective post-marketing surveillance system 10) to develop the operation procedure manual for officers working at port of entry and 11) to revise rules and regulations to carry higher penalty for illegal conducts. The result from the study could be inputs for further policy development. Future expansion of the scope of research to cover all sectors related to the importing system for modern medicinal product will provide a broader perspective and could establish more effective strategies respectively.