THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
KILIMANJARO INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES - ARUSHA

DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY
TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(NTA LEVEL 5)

FIELD WORK REPORT CONDUCTED FROM 16 JUNE 2025 TO 25

JULY 2025

NAME OF HEALTH FACILITY: MOUNT MERU HOSPITAL

MODULE CODE: PST 05211

MODULE NAME: PHARMACY PRACTICE

CANDIDATE NAME: AMINA AMIRI HAMAD

NACTVET REG NO: NS 1633-0010-2021

NAME OF SUPERVISOR: PHARM BENEDICT MAGANIKO

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents
PREFACE.....................................................................................................................................................III
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................................................................IV
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS..............................................................................................................................V
1.0 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................1
1.1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MOUNT MERU HOSPITAL...............................................................1
CARE AND TREATMENT CLINIC (CTC) UNIT..............................................................................................3
AIMS OF THE STUDY................................................................................................................................4
METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................................................4
2.0 CHAPTER TWO......................................................................................................................................5
2.1 HANDLING OF MEDICINE AND GIVING INSTRUCTION TO PATIENTS..................................................5
3.0 CHAPTER THREE....................................................................................................................................7
3.1 SEARCHING INFORMATION FROM INTERNET....................................................................................7
4.0 CHAPTER FOUR.....................................................................................................................................8
4.1 MANAGEMENT OF INVENTORY ELECTRONICALY...............................................................................8
5.0 CHAPTER FIVE........................................................................................................................................9
5.1 SENDING REPORT USING MTUHA DATABASE....................................................................................9
6.0 CHAPTER SIX........................................................................................................................................10
6.1 GENERATION OF DATABASE REPORT FROM MTUHA DATABASE....................................................10
7.0 CHAPTER SEVEN..................................................................................................................................11
7.1 FILLING OF R&R FORM.....................................................................................................................11
8.0 CHAPTER EIGHT...................................................................................................................................12
8.1 USING ELECTRONIC LOGISTIC MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM...........................................12
9.1 GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (GoT-HoMIS)....13
10 CHAPTER TEN.......................................................................................................................................15
CHALLENGES DURING FIELD PRACTICE..................................................................................................15
RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................20

II
 PREFACE
My field practice has the goal to apply the theory knowledge, skills and ability which I got from
the class lecture, discussion and private studies, as well as it concerns with the field work.
On this field practice I gain more knowledge on different activities in working area, and
increasing the ability of work performance directly from the clinical station. Also I should
demonstrate the quality of laws and policies and belief in the professional applied in order to
improve the value and quality of health to the life of an individual.
Also I should be able to apply the knowledge of dispensing medicines and different medical
supplies by using MTUHA Database which is commonly used in clinical station. Also I should
learn on how to issue medicine and medical supplies from store by using hospital computer
systems to different departments in working areas.

III
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all I would like to express my sincere thanks to God for his graces and blessings upon me
during my field work from the beginning to the end. I would like to thank administration of
Kilimanjaro institute of health sciences for their concern by learning, arranging and giving us
knowledge on how to conduct fieldwork practice.
Also I extend my appreciation and thanks to the Administration and Leadership of especially
hospital pharmacy staff who were very close to us all time of field practice and ready to help us.
Hospital Chief Pharmacist, Assistant Hospital Chief Pharmacist , head of (BIMA) or Insurance
Pharmacy and other departments
Finally I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my fellow students who undertook their field
Practice at Mount meru Hospital for their cooperation showed to me all the time that were at the
Hospital.

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

KIHASA……………………..............
Kilimanjaro institute of Health and Allied Science
ELMIS…………………………............. Electronic Logistic Management information system

NACTE………………………………... National Council for Technical Education

MTUHA……………………………… Mfumo wa taarifa za uendeshaji huduma za afya

NHIF……………………………........... National Health Insurance Fund

HIV…………………………….............. Human Immunodeficiency Virus

DHIS…………………………………... District Health Information System

OPD……………………………………. Outpatient Department

HMIS………………………………....... Health Management Information System

FEFO……………………………........... First expire first out

FIFO………………………………….... First in first out

ARV’s…………………………............. Antiretroviral

GoT-HoMIS……………………………
Government of Tanzania Hospital Management
Information System
ART……………………………………. Ant retroviral therapy

CTC……………………………………. Care and treatment clinic

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 CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MOUNT MERU HOSPITAL

I started my field work practice on the 16 th June up to 25th of july 2024, for a period of six (6)
weeks at Mount meru hospital.

The hospital started at the end of 1915 as center for treating war casualatives.It was divided into
two sections, one section for whites, termed as Mount meru and another is for blacks was named
as Nduruma. Later the two sections united to form one hospital which was officially opened on
26/11/1926. It was upgraded and became Mount meru regional refferal hospital on 12/11/2010

Mount meru hospital is a government owned health facility in Arusha region. The hospital is
located along East African street about 280 meters from Arusha Mosbi road.

The hospital provides referal health services to its seven Distict councils, i.e Ngorongoro,
Arusha, Kararu, Longido, Meru,and Monduli distict councils

Mount Meru Hospital supports the following health facilities in the region, 13 hospitals, 3
designated district hosoitals, own by faith based organizations (FBO). Furthermore, there are 50
health centers and 302 dispensaries. The hospital refers patient to kilimanjaro christian medical
center ( KCMC), muhimbuli national hispital well as to kibong'oto soecialized hospital for
patients with malt druf resistance.

1.2 ACTIVITIES DONE

Pharmacy field work practice is one of the activities that help a student to be aware of what he
or she learned theoretically. I have done different activities such as: • Provision of information to
patients concerning about the dispensed medicines. • Arrangement of medicines and medical
supplies in the hospital pharmacy departments. • Filling the ledger book, dispensing registrar, bin
card and issue voucher electronically. Sending report using MTUHA data base.

1.3 MOUNT MERU HOSPITAL PHARMACY DEPARTMENTS

 Outpatient department (OPD)

 Store department

 National health insurance funds department

 TB department

 Care and treatment clinic department

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1.4 AIM OF PRACTICE

The aim of this field work is to have a general practical knowledge about dispensing of
Medicines and medical supplies through computer system, managing medicines and Medical
supplies electronically, generation of data set report from MTUHA database, filling of R&R
forms and also using Electronic Logistic Management Information System.

MAIN STORE

Main Store is a room where medicines and medical supplies are stored in bulk permanent or
temporary before issued to other Departments.

Main store ensures that all essential medicines are available in the hospital through proper
procurement, inventory, storage, and distribution with assistance of a fully electronic and
manually records. This unit procures medicines and medical supplies from Medical Stores
Department (MSD) or from local suppliers of those medicines which are not available at MSD.

Main Store supply medicines and medical supplies to the different pharmaceutical units such as
OPD pharmaceutical unit and CTC pharmaceutical unit. The medicines and medical supplies in
the main store are arranged according to pharmacological/therapeutic activities and most
frequently items with their corresponding and are issued by principle of FEFO and FIFO i.e.
First expire items are first to be issued while in same product with same expiring date the first in
items are first to be issued.The working period in this department I practice many activities, and
also I learnt and hence many experiences gained as explained below;

Activities done in Main Store.

i. Writing medicine procuring orders as according to the needs and then sent the orders to
the head of pharmacy department to order the medicine from MSD or local suppliers.
ii. Receiving and confirming the received medicines and medical supplies from other health
facility and those from local suppliers by using electronic system such as GoT-HoMIS
iii. Recording of received and issued medicines and medical supplies electronically into the
computer system and also manually in ledger book and bin card.
iv. Physical stocking of the each item every ending month.
v. Documentation of received and issued items in their respective stock records such as Bin
cards, Store ledger and computer system
vi. Keeping records and information of the store development and important forms (both
electronically and manually)
vii. Filling R&R Forms electronically by using electronic logistic management information
system
viii. Vii issuePrinting vouchers of issued medicine and medical supplies.

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 OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT (OPD) AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL SHOP

This is the pharmacy unit which dispenses common drugs to patients including patients with
health insurance cards like NHIF Cards, CHF Cards and Revolution Cards.

The working period in this department I practice many activities, many things I learnt and hence
many experiences gained as explained below;

Activities done in this department are:

 Dispensing common different type of drugs to patients, example of common drugs are
Paracetamol, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin capsules and injections. Losartan ,
Amlodipine ,Omeprazole, Furosemide and Nifedipine
 Pre-packing of most frequently medicines in their common doses so as to reduce heavy
patient load.
 Ordering of medicines and medical supplies from main store through computer system
example GoT-HoMIS.
 To receive and check the items received from Main store by using electronic system.
Recording of dispensed drug including hospital number a patient is registered.
 Physical counting of medicines so as to know what kind of medicine is needed to
increase.
 Also to fill the daily dispensing register and to generate report of medicine dispensed to
patient both manually and electronically.
 Use of computer packages in selling and dispensing of medicines, Such as Cash provision
resist to their selling medicines

CARE AND TREATMENT CLINIC (CTC) UNIT

This is the pharmacy which dispenses drugs for HIV and tuberculosis patients and also to
cancelling patients using ARVs drugs. The working period in this department I practice many
activities, I learnt and hence many experiences gained as explained below.

Activities done in this unit are:

 To order the ARVs drugs from the main drug store by computer system.
 To receive and check the items received from main drug store.
 Dispensing ARVs medicines to HIV/AIDS patients.

 Recording of ARVs and Ant tuberculosis dispensed drugs including hospital and patients
registration number.

 Use of computer packages on updating the CTC data files in data base in order to capture
all new patients to be dispensed ARV drugs

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  Retrieving of medication from storage by selecting of appropriate medication by using of
the First Expire and First Out,

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aim of study to enable student acquire the necessary skills in Dispensing, Computer
Application in health management and information system, Compounding, Medical Store
management and Communication in order to provide day-to-day pharmaceutical services in
health care settings.
 Apply principles of GMP in the preparation of facility based pharmaceutical products.
 Apply principles of GMP in operation and maintenance of equipment and machines in a
facility.
 Apply relevant computer packages in delivery of pharmaceutical services.
 Apply health management information system (HMIS) to capture process and store
health information.
 Use Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) in the delivery of pharmaceutical
services.
METHODOLOGY
 During the field work, I have achieved the knowledge and skills based on the case studies
and other pharmaceutical practices through Asking of questions to the experienced staffs
members who are familiar to the activities conducted to the pharmacy at Rungwe District
Hospital , Through discussion with pharmacist and teaching with Pharmaceutical assistant,
pharmaceutical dispensers, Pharmacist and other

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 2.0 CHAPTER TWO
2.1 HANDLING OF MEDICINE AND GIVING INSTRUCTION TO PATIENTS
Handling of medicine is the manipulations of medications in order to administer them. It is
important to carefully read the label or other printed instruction issued with medication.
Medicines are given safely and correctly and care staffs preserve the dignity and privacy of the
individuals when they give medicines to them. Safe administration of medicines means that
medicines are given in a way that avoids causing harm to patients.
The Following are the commonly medicine that are handled and instruction given to the
patients.

PARACETAMOL500MG is one of the most common analgesic drugs for treatment of mild to
moderate pain including headache, toothache, sore throat, feverish colds and other pains. It is
available in two formulations (Syrups and Tablets). Dosage Adult 500mg every after 8 hrs
orally. Means that 2 tablets 3 times a day. Children 10mg/kg every after 8 hourss orally
Side effects of paracetamol are rare but may occur and may involve skin rashes.

CO-TRIMOXAZOLE480MG is one of the commonly dispensed drugs indicated for the

treatment of certain bacterial infection such as pneumonia, infection of the urinary tract, ears and
intestines.

Side effects of co-trimoxazole are; loss of appetite, vomiting, fever and chills also
muscle pain and coughs.

AMOXICILLIN250MG is antibiotic that was commonly dispensed at my station. It is a semi-

broad spectrum, acid stable, penicillinase-suseptible penicillin. Amoxicillin is indicated for the
treatment of the following infections due to susceptible stains of sensitive organisms, infections
include; pneumonia, bronchitis, it’s also used to treat urinary tract and gastro-intestinal tract
infection. Amoxicillin can be given oral with strength of 250-500mg every 6hourly for 5-7 days

METRONIDAZOLE200mg is indicated to patient with amoebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis,

helicobacter, pylori eradication and anaerobic infection (after colorectal or pelvic surgery,
appendectomy, osteomyelitis and abscesses of brain or lung).

Dosage; Trichomoniasis: 2gram orally as single dose or 2 divided dose on same day or 250 mg 3
times a day for 7 consecutive days. Amoebiasis: Acute amoebic dysentery 750 mg orally 3 times
daily for 5-10 days. Amoebic liver abscess: 500 mg or 750 mg orally 3 times a day for 5-10 days.
Anaerobic Bacterial infection: The usual adult dose is 500 mg every 6 hours.

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Side effects: Serious side effect includes seizure and numbness. Stop the medication
immediately if such symptoms observed. Common side effects include abdominal cramps,
constipation, diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach upset and vomiting.

CETRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS10mg. Cetrizine tablets are used for the

symptomatic relief of allergy such as hay fever, chronic idiopathic urticaria. Cetrizine tablets are
generally given in dosage as directed by a physician. Adults and children over 6 years and older;
10 mg (one tablet) daily or alternatively, 5 mg twice daily. Children 2-6 years, hay fever, 5mg
(half a tablet) once daily. Dose adjustments required in patient with hepatic disease or renal
impairment.

Side effects: headache Central nervous system; Insomnia, fatigue, malaise, dizziness.
Gastrointestinal; Abdominal pain, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting.

DICLOFENAC SODIUM Acute back pain, post-operative pain, inflammatory and

degenerative forms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis

Dosage; In osteoarthritis, the recommended dosage is 100-150Mg/day in divided doses,50mg

two times a day or four times a day or 75mg two times a day. Dosage above 150mg/day has not
been studied in patients with osteoarthritis.

Side effects Gastro-intestinal side effects are usually mild. Rarely reported ones include peptic
ulcer, bleeding from gastrointestinal tract, blood abnormalities of liver and kidney function, and
hypersensitivity reactions such as bronchospasm or anaphylactic.

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 3.0 CHAPTER THREE
3.1 SEARCHING INFORMATION FROM INTERNET
Internet is the collection of interconnected network
By using electronic system in RUNGWE DISTRICT HOSPITAL same information searched
into different source and among the web site was.
 The four top medical information search engine websites are:
 WebMD
 Pub Med
 Health line
 Health Finder

IN CONDACTING THES ACTIVITIES THE FOLLOWING PROSEDURE USED

 PROCEDURES OF SEARCHING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
 Step 1: Go to Google
 Step2: Go To Google via a Toolbar
 Step 3: Enter Search Terms
 Step 4: Review Search Results
 Step 5: Preview Answers
 Step 6: Refine the Google Search
The activity of searching information it based on how
 To search information from various web sites
 Creating of Emails address
 Sending text and folders via emails
 Receiving of text and folders
 Download of information and sent via emails
 Printing of downloaded information,

Challenges on searching information from internets

 Poor internets connection
 Lack of internets bundles
 Experience problems

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 4.0 CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 MANAGEMENT OF INVENTORY ELECTRONICALY
 Electronic Inventory Management Software/Application
o It is software installed on the computer systems that enables a firm (in this case a
pharmacy) to keep a check on the inventory levels by performing the automatic
counting of inventories, recording withdrawals and revising the stock balance.

Commonly methods be used at RUNGWE DISTRICT HOSPITAL are

a. Electronic Logistic Management Information System (eLMIS)
i. Is a revolutionary and cost-effective system of health data management
that ensures greater commodity security and better health outcomes for
people in a given locality like say Tanzania.
b. District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2)
i. is a free and open source health management data platform used by
multiple organizations, and governments worldwide. Since DHIS2's
release in 2006, NGOs and national governments in 60 countries have
deployed DHIS2 for health-related projects, including patient health
monitoring, improving disease surveillance and pinpointing outbreaks, and
speeding up health data access.
At this category I was learning on how…..
 To order medicines and medical supplies electronically
 To prepare electronic invoice
 To sends invoice of medicines and medical supplies electronically
 To keeps of records of medicines and medical supplies
EXAMPLES OF FIGURE SHOWN BIN CARD at RDH MAIN PHARMACY

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 5.0 CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 SENDING REPORT USING MTUHA DATABASE
The facility in charge RUNGWE DISTRICT HOSPITAL access or logs in MTUHA data base
or software by accessing the following processes;-
 Access your internet
 Opening your internet browser e.g. fire fox or Google chrome
 Enter your URL: That is https/dhis.moh.go.tz
 Enter the facility account ( user name and password ) like thus one

 Then click on Application Menu

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  Then select the form ( data set ) to fulfil data

6.0 CHAPTER SIX

6.1 GENERATION OF DATABASE REPORT FROM MTUHA DATABASE
There are four most common periods in MTUHA frequencies organized but at RDH most data
are collected and retrieve in monthly frequency.
These four periods includes:
 Quarterly
 Monthly
 Six months yearly
 Annually
How to generate Report Form From MTUHA data base
 Click on Apps in Navigation Application Menu
 Select and click on Reports
 Select data set Report
 Define the organization unit
NOTE:
On generation of data report from MTUHA DATA BASE, It is categorized according to the unit
of each facility offered
These categories are
First level (Highest) .MoHSW

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  Data offered are at Central level
Second Level. REGIONS
 Data access at region levels only
 Data report for the whole regions
Third Level: COUNCILS/DISTRICT
 It deals with
 Data entry
 Data report
Fourth Level; FACILITIES
 Data entry point
 Data entry report

7.0 CHAPTER SEVEN

7.1 FILLING OF R&R FORM
 Form 2A: Dispensary or Health Centre Report & Request for Priority Medicines and
Related medical supplies and equipment.
 Form 2B: Hospital Report & Request for Priority Medicines and Related Medical
Supplies
 Form 2C: Blank Report & Request for Additional Medicines and Related Medical
Supplies and Equipment to order additional medicines and related medical supplies not
printed on Forms 2A & 2B.

 How to report consumption of medicine and medical supplies using R&R form

 The consumption of medicine and medical supplies are calculated by taking the staring
balance plus the received amount minus losses or adjustment also the system of elmis
helps to calculate after entering those data to the required or appropriate site the actual
consumption of that product are indicated end light side and also the system indicate the
amount to be ordered and the actual costs.

 How to request medicine and medical supplies using R&R form

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  First you must identify what kind of order you want to request whether is emergency
order or regularly order
 Second you must complete to fill R&R form.
 Third you must approve the data entered
 Fourth the district pharmacist he/she must submit the R&R form electronically by using
the eLMIS system.
 FIGURE SHOWN R&R FORMS

8.0 CHAPTER EIGHT

8.1 USING ELECTRONIC LOGISTIC MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

Introduction to eLMIS
The electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS) is a revolutionary and cost-
effective system of health data management that ensures greater commodity security and better
health outcomes

How to logs in the website for eLMIS

 Access your internet

 Opening your internet browser e.g. Google chrome or fire fox
 Enter your URL. That is www.elmis.co.tz
 Enter the district pharmacist account ( user name and password )

How to access data in eLMIS

 In the eLMIS after login there are two option first is my facility which always is the
district hospital and other facility which are always the health centres and dispensaries
within the district.
How to order medicine and medical supplies by using eLMIS
 In the elms the are two form of ordering which are emergency order and regularly order.
 Emergency order: Is the form of order that is placed or requesting other than that
of the specific period of time due to the shortage or out of the stock. In order to order
you suppose to fill in the elms system like the amount that you received at the previews
order, the balance that you have, losses or adjustment and also the amount that you want

12
 to order the system can calculate and gives you the actual amount in which the order can
consume and also you can compare to the amount that you have on hand.

How to send the finished order through the eLMIS

 After the order being completed the district pharmacist place to the place written submit
How is electronic logistic management information system used.
 The goal of eLMIS is to improve health logistics data collection, aggregation and
presentation in order to make informed decision
 The electronic logistic management system is an electronic system of records and reports
that is used to aggregate , analyze ,validate and display data (from all levels of the logistic
system ) that can be used to make logistics decisions and manage the supply chain
 Electronic LMIS enables a transition from a paper-based system of data management to an
electronic format which will foster better, faster, and more accurate reporting of supplies.
9.0 CHAPTER NINE

9.1 GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

SYSTEM (GoT-HoMIS)

Introduction to (GoT-HoMIS)
The GoT-HoMIS system designed into different modules that together deliver the functionality
required to capture and support hospital business process. Users of the system will be required to
login and the system shall load onto the interface the corresponding module links. Functionality
will be available by clicking on corresponding module icon on the initial logged-in dashboard.
Objectives carried out electronically though (GoT-HoMIS)

Logging in GoT-HoMIS
The GoT-HoMIS system is a web-based application that runs on modern browsers. In order for
the system interface to behave correctly, the users’ computer must have a latest browser that
must meet the following conditions:
 The browser must support HTML5
 JavaScript must be enabled on the browser
 Preferably, the browser is Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

The system will be accessible through domain name or IP address as will be directed by the
installing technician. Sample address looks as http://192.168.25.32/got-homis Login Upon
accessing the system address, the browser will load a login page onto which the user shall enter
his/her username and password. The user will be provided with initial password but such a
password must be changed to the user’s secret passphrase immediately upon first time login. The
login preview presented in the figure below.

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After log in a display shows list of application that are useful in different units. Also GoT-
HoMIS gives an access to other hospital units in connection to the hospital main store unit.
Report and Request form
Also GoT-HoMIS gives an access to fill Report and Request form that is then being sent to the
main store electronically. On starting over GoT-HoMIS application display main pharmacy
application is concerned and after opening gives an access to
i. Report and request form electronically
ii. Receiving and issuing item to/from main store electronically
iii. Stock reports
iv. Financial reports
v. Requisitions
vi. Setting summary

Receiving, Issuing and dispensing in system

An item is firstly received from MSD to main store by registering it with the name ,form, invoice
number, transaction type, unit price, batch number and expire date. After the item is already
received in a system, then it can be issued to any unit in the hospital depending to the demand
and request from that particular unit.
Also the system incorporates various valuable functionalities that play vital roles in line with
Health Sector needs and the Government at large, i.e. Electronic Medical Record allows patient
profile to be available across facilities using centralized database, Inventory and Tracking of
medical supplies as they trickle down to the final consumer,
As well, GoT-HoMIS integrated with other systems in the Health Sector, i.e. GoT-HoMIS with
DHIS integration for HMIS statistics, GoT-HoMIS with eLMIS (MSD) integration for R&R,
GoT-HoMIS with NHIF integration for member card verification, authorization and claim, GoT-
HoMIS also integrated with the Government Electronic Payment Gateway to facilitate cashless
environment at Health Facilities.

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 10 CHAPTER TEN
CHALLENGES DURING FIELD PRACTICE
Besides the station being well organized especially to the pharmacy department, still there were
some challenges which I faced during dispensing;

 Shortage of dispensing materials such as counting tray

 Hand writing of the prescribers made it difficult to understand what was written in the
prescription.

 Prescribers used brand name when prescribing drugs, which makes difficult to determine
which kind of medication were written to the pharmaceutical personnel. For example
Septrine instead of co-trimoxazole and Letrex instead of Levamisole.

 Lack of enough medicines that makes some of the patient to get medicines out of the
facility, for example Loratidine and Cetirizine and same intravenous medicine etc.

 Misunderstanding between pharmaceutical personnel and patient when providing

appropriate information on the use of medicines.

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 Shortage of pharmaceutical personnel that makes some of the nurse assistant to dispense
medicines without having enough knowledge about medicines resulting to irrational
dispensing. For example at BIMA (NHIF) section, there were no sufficient members to
provide health services to the patients. This also had an impact management of store
documentation particularly in filling the bin cards, issue voucher and ledger books.

 In deduction of information from simple heath data using spread sheet were no enough
time to conduct that activities

LESSONS LEARNT BEYOND LERNING OUTCOMES

 In different activities such as physical count of medicines and medical supplies, this was
done periodically; this help to know the actual medicines and medical supplies that are
available in the main store and those are in the recording tools must be reconciled. The
physical count may help to reduce variation between items that is in bin card, ledger book
 When the requisition officer brings the requisition form to the store department, the store
keeper examines the requisition form and fills the issue voucher, issue voucher is a
document used to record quantities issued, and type of medicines issued, and date when
he issued the medicines to another department in the hospital. After filling the issue
voucher, the store keeper issue medicines to the particular department ordered.
 There is also a store ledger, this is a stock keeping record form bound like a book that
containing the information about the products regarding quantities in the store. I practiced
filling the store ledger.
 The Government policy in most countries requires the use of stores ledgers for
accountability, because commodities are considered assets of the government or
organizations and should be accounted for carefully.

16
  There is need of cooperation between pharmacy departments and other hospital
departments especially when the need of information system so as to improve quality of
care, and this seems to reduce patient load and adherence
 Also when using computer system it is important to have data backup so as to reduce
wastage of patient data and other health information. But also it reduces theft by
unauthorized people

CONCLUSION

My field work project played a great role in shaping and exposing me in the real world of
pharmacy practice. It has also be a key ingredient in ensuring me to be competent pharmaceutical
personnel. In reaching these goals I got full support from pharmaceutical personnel in charge in
the respective units together with other medical practitioners including doctors, nurses and
medical attendant who was a familiar with such works. As to any health facility or organization
challenges are inevitable. The challenges I experienced did not be a basis for me failing to reach
my goals in becoming competent pharmaceutical personnel rather shaped me to understand how
the daily life of health professionals are supposed to be.

At Mount meru hospital, the pharmacy department plays a great role to ensure that people’s
health is improved, because the pharmaceutical personnel at this institution are almost committed
in accordance to norms and conduct of pharmacy profession. The controlled drugs are handled
by the pharmacist in charge. ARV’s are stored in a good manner in such a way that they are safe.

Also the ordering, receipt and issuing of both controlled drugs and ARV’s is done systematically
according to regulation, hence proper management. I am sure a few challenges we faced during
the time of our course will be dealt upon with time.

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Lastly, I would say that the field work helps a lot of students learning in practice the theoretically
learnt things; it also helps us to know how our working environment is.

But also I have got more experience because at the first I did not understood well by studying
only theory but now I have more experience of the medicines.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are the recommendations;

 Prescribers should include the diagnosis of the disease in the prescriptions in order to
help field students to learn more about dispensed drugs and their specific treatments.

 Time for doing field practice should be extended so that students can attain enough
knowledge and skills they leant in the classroom.

 Prescribers should use generic name instead of brand names in their prescriptions when
prescribing.

 Communication should be done between pharmaceutical personnel and prescribers in

order to avoid prescribing medications that are out of store.

 The government should employ more pharmaceutical personnel to the facility to reduce
the scarcity of health workers.

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 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Prescription: it is a legal written order from a qualified prescriber to a qualified dispenser
which contains instruction to dispense or compound and administer specified medicine to a
clearly mentioned patient.
Dispensing: Is concerned with preparation and supply of medicine or medical devices to the
patient.
Bin card: File cards are physical kept with the stock which makes visual check easy and reminds
to keep records.
Ledger book: Is a bound or loose-leaf book which is used to keep records of all drugs and
medical devices found in the office (store)
Pharmacy: is a building where pharmaceutical items are stored and supplied to customers
together with pharmaceutical services.
Drug: Any substance that affects the structure or function of a living organism.
Pharmacist: A person registered by the pharmacy council & shall not be entitled to provide
services as a pharmacist, unless he is duly registered under the pharmacy act.
Pharmaceutical Technician: A person enrolled by the pharmacy council and shall not be
entitled to provide services as a pharmaceutical technician, unless he is duly registered under the
pharmacy act.

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Pharmaceutical assistance: A person enlisted by the pharmacy council and shall not be entitled
to provide services as a pharmaceutical assistance, unless he is duly registered under the
pharmacy act.
Medicine: Any substance or mixture of substances manufactured for treatment of diseases or for
use in the diagnosis, prevention of diseases, disorders or abnormal physical or mental state or the
symptoms there of in a man or animal
HIMS: is the data collection system specifically designed to support planning, management and
decision making in health facility and organization.

REFERENCES

 World Health Organization (1980). The role of pharmacist in health care system. WHO
publications.
 Clinical Pharmacology 5th edition (By D. R. Laurence and P. N. Bennett).
 Standard Treatment Guideline of Tanzania 2013.
 National Essential Medicine List of Tanzania 2013.
 APPENDICES

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