DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPUTERIZED STANDARD APPRAISAL SYSTEM FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has the mandate to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, diastribution, advertisement, sale and use of Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, Medical Devices, Chemical, Packaged Water and other drinks. This project work researched into the procedures and criteria involved in the appraisal of pharmaceutical products by NAFDAC Nigeria. Drugs and other pharmaceutical products are specialized commodities to be used in critical situations. As such, quality of such products must be assured at all times. This is where a computerized appraisal system for pharmaceutical products comes to play. This project work helps the Agency achieve their aim with ease. This design is more accurate and reliable it will try to bring in techniques of modern operations into the computerization of the pharmaceutical products appraisal. Due to inevitable constraints, this work is restricted to a particular product in terms of the program design.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The search for excellences begins with a search for what one needs to achieve one’s personal best, the search ahs led to discovery of many tools to improve human efficiency. Computer invention leads this class. Since the advent in the mid 40’s the problem has become how to use computer truly for human endeavour. Initially, it was used as guides towards improving administrative performances, today the shift is on the side of the computer making decision and improving operation performance directly. Since in the decision making, computer approach was enhanced with advancement in operation research management science, quantitative techniques in solving modern day problem using computers.
Decisions are basically made daily on raw materials inventory engineering spare parts, procurement and contend if personal etc. these decisions are supposed to be made from the interpretation of processed data. This is however, not usually the case. Some operations like job sequencing on machines, potency test on things at regular intervals, careful monitoring of inventory level, efficient scheduling of machine maintenance requires computer aids for good productivity. This is unfortunately lacking. Considering pharmaceutical products in relation to the National Agency for food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), information storage and retrieval with adequate, processing and the base of their work flow information on drug and the nature of such drug attracts importance more than every other operation.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The existing system is not meeting its objectives due to problem associated with it. These problems hinder the smooth operation of the system. The existing system, is not flexible. The method of information storage and retrieval is very tedious. It does not make room for adequate modification of information. The system does not prompt for notification of a particular entry when a re-entry is made. The system does not generate report in time. It wastes a lot of time in report generation. This hinders success decision by managers; directors or other head of councils. The system is very expensive to maintain and the operations are difficult to carry out. Due to the volume of data involved and the complex repots to tackle, the staff find it difficult to produce accurate result.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This project work is carried out to make sure that maximum appraisal and security check in the agency (NAFDAC). It also proves the usefulness of computer in the case study. It will also enlighten the student in the course of studying relating to other fields of life. This project will also provide detailed information on the concept of counterfeit pharmaceutical product. The importance of appraising this products and the importance of computer in the field. The major purpose is to effect a computerized design which will tackle the operation of appraising pharmaceutical products in an automatic manner.
1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this product work is to look into the operations involved in creating a standard appraisal system for pharmaceutical product with a view of detecting the problems facing the system, providing possible solution to the problems and to modify and develop a new system that will carry out the activities in an automatic manner.
The research is also aimed at reducing cost of maintaining the system and to improve in work operation of appraisal by keeping adequate records, enabling easy retrieval and update and also enhancing speedy processing.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This project work is designed to take care of a standard appraisal system for pharmaceutical products in NAFDAC Nigeria. It keeps adequate records of appraised drugs or products and their registration numbers respectively.
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