Short Term Consultant for Needs Assessment of National Medicines Laboratory (NML) warehouse

Short Term Consultant for Needs Assessment of National Medicines Laboratory(NML) warehouse(chemicals, reference standards, and samples)

Overview

Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+) Program, a Cooperative Agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a five year (2019 - 2024) program which works to improve access to quality-assured priority medicines and addresses the proliferation of poor-quality medical products in low and middle-income countries through cross-sectoral and systems strengthening approaches and the application of international quality assurance standards across the pharmaceutical system. By sharing scientific expertise and providing technical support and leadership, we help create resilient and robust local health systems that address diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, as well as improve maternal, newborn, and child health.

Along with other activities, PQM+ provides technical assistance to the government drug testing laboratories and its corresponding entities to build their capacity and help reduce the prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines in country. Currently, PQM+ is supporting NML of Nepal towards achieving the ISO 17025 accreditation.

Activity Background

PQM+ Nepal intends to support NML on proper warehousing of their chemical reagents, reference standards, and test samples. Program mainly focuses on two most important components, first one being the infrastructure requirement and the second one being the environmental management requirement. Before commencing any work as per institutional development plan (IDP), a comprehensive laboratory assessment of NMLas per their need is planned. 

Proposed Activities:

PQM+ Nepal team plans to hire a consultant or consultation firm who will analyze all aspects of laboratory to comply as per international requirements for warehousing of chemical reagents, reference standards and samples.

The assessor or evaluator is also expected to commence following activities:

1. Assess the Premises for any damage, cracks, wear and tear of paint, flooring condition, seepage, and other related issues of infrastructure.
2. Mapping of premises for material flow, storage, quarantine, cold chain, flammable materials, receiving and issuance of the chemical reagents, reference standards and samples.
3. Estimate the need for racking, shelving, environmental monitoring equipment, pallet, and trolleys for transportation of materials.
4. Estimate the need for inventory information management equipment and tools.
5. Prepare a plan for:
   • Dejunking of materials
   • Recording of physical inventory
   • Safe disposal/ management of expired or damaged materials
   • Temporary warehouse setup
   • Refurbishment of chemical reagent, reference standards, and sample warehouse
   • Installation of equipment
   • Shifting/ warehousing of all materials
   • Commissioning/ Area Qualification
   • Access control

Deliverables

1. Assessment Report on the requirements for proper warehousing of chemical reagents, reference standards, and samples at National Medicines Laboratory, which must include
   • The infrastructure requirements and adjustments needed for the targeted purpose
   • Environment monitoring and management requirements of these areas and equipment needed to comply them.
2. Storage optimization plan for NML

Minimum Requirements

1. Graduation or Post-graduation in relevant field.
2. Demonstrated experience in laboratory warehousing or have worked as consultant in this field.
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of the local language is preferred.

Period of Performance

The scope of the work defined herein should be implemented within the time of Dec 2021. The assignment will be for 10 working days from the date of sign of contract.

Duty station: National Medicines Laboratory (NML), Kathmandu, Nepal

Application Process:

Eligible consultant/s may submit an Expression of Interest based on the above basic requirements including their per day consultancy fees, updated CV, sample of previous work, and copy of PAN/VAT registration certificate. Application should be indicated in the subject “Short Term Consultant for Needs Assessment of National Medicines Laboratory (NML) warehouse ” and submit to usp.nepal@usp.org by 31st October 2021 (5:00 PM). 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further process.