Participants at the workshop on improving the medicines supply chain in Libya30 December 2018 – A technical workshop on developing guidelines for medicines selection, procurement, storage and distribution in Libya was held between 17 and 19 December in Tunis. The workshop came as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen supply chain management systems in Libya being conducted by the WHO, with EU funding support, through the SHAMS project.

The workshop was opened by Professor Samir Sagar, Director of the National Centre for Health System Development, who said an integrated and coordinated selection, procurement, storage and distribution system in Libya would save on health care costs and ensure access to quality and affordable medicines.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Health’s Pharmacy Administration and Medical Supply Organization, Libyan Customs, the National Centre for Disease Control and the University of Tripoli’s Faculty of Pharmacy.

Setting comprehensive guidelines to regulate the selection, procurement, storage and distribution of medicines is an essential step towards a safe, quality assured and efficient medical supplies.

The meeting resulted in a consensus on medical supply system guidelines being reached. The guidelines will now be submitted for ministerial approval and final endorsement.