Providing Pharmaceutical Services in 8 Years of Holy Defense: Part 2 - Management of the Drug Supply Chain in Combat Medicine

The beginning of the imposed war and the massive invasion of the Ba'athist enemy to the borders of Iran and along with the national defense of soil with the progressive cohesion of combat forces, the presence and activity of medical service units in all areas was necessary. One of the important parts of this specialized health unit, which is known as the combat health unit, was the part of pharmaceutical services. Recognition of this key part and how it communicates and cooperates with other specialized pharmaceutical systems of the country with the aim of rapid supply of essential drugs and sustainable support for permanent access to the daily needs of the battlefields is the aim of this study. In order to conduct this research, in addition to studying libraries, searching for national and international online scientific databases, as well as conducting oral interviews with all stakeholders and officials of pharmaceutical services during the holy defense period have been used. The pillars of drug supply management during the eight years of the Holy Defense included the then Ministry of Health (and since 1985 the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education) and the Army and IRGC Combat Health Unit, and also the Red Crescent Organization, pharmaceutical factories, drug distribution companies, schools of pharmacy, and research centers of medical universities. The responsibility of the management of this complex, as a supply chain for the pharmacy needs of the battlefields, is by the Central Coordination Headquarters, which use all the potential and actual capacities in the country, even in the conditions of the oppressive sanctions of global arrogance. The establishment of the Central Coordination Headquarters played a vital role in meeting the immediate pharmacy needs of the battlefields. In this regard, by starting a generic project in the pharmaceutical system, using the power of committed specialists and professors of pharmacy schools, establishing university pharmaceutical research centers, creating a spirit of self-confidence and relying on our national slogan, we can create a role in the pharmaceutical industry, activitis of the Red Crescent Organization, the presence of pharmacists and pharmacy students on the battlefields, gaining opportunities from arrogant threats, etc., and most importantly; national belief in the culture of self-sacrifice and resistance in addition to pure obedience to the Leader added another leaf of pride to the pages of the glorious history of the Islamic regime in the field of providing medical services during the holy defense. On the other hand, this dynamic and leading management chain will be a very valuable experience for current and future generations of those in charge of the country health system in providing the best services with a resilient economic approach that is an urgent and undeniable need of the country even in the absence of sanctions.