Assessment of current status of LAPROMED [pharmaceutical production unit] -- May 27-30, 1997, Guatemala City, Guatemala

The assessment determines whether LAPROMED met the objectives of project 5200339, which concluded in December 1995. Overall, LAPROMED"s facility and equipment are being well maintained, and product quality has been consistently high. The addition of a new quality control (QC) chief has strengthened the organization, allowing the prior QC chief to concentrate on improving and expanding the liquids production area. However, LAPROMED continues to struggle in the critical areas of marketing, sales, customer service, business development, and distribution. The decentralization of the Ministry of Health"s (MOH) procurement system has exacerbated the problem, since LAPROMED must now deal with 27 regional health areas, instead of just the central procurement group in the MOH. Product costs have also increased, making LAPROMED"s ORS less competitive than other products available on the market. LAPROMED might mitigate these shortcomings by developing partnerships with private organizations that are already marketing and distributing pharmaceuticals or other medical products. Some additional TA would also be useful in reducing raw material costs and improving product stability. (Author abstract, modified)