A REVIEW OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ICT IN PHARMACEUTICAL AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

[1]N. B. Okelo, [2]Mollen Akinyi Odero
Page No. 32-38

Information and communication technology (ICT) is becoming a natural part in both
pharmaceutical and healthcare system for delivering and giving accessibility to healthcare. The ICT
for Health systems is aimed at raising the acceptance of ICT among medical professionals, decision
makers, and citizens. One of the activities to help foster this development has been the
documentation of ICT strategies in the partner regions an example is the eHealth system. An
eHealth system is a new umbrella field in healthcare, medical informatics and management
intended to improve healthcare services and to ensure rapid data exchange through the Internet and
other similar ICT means, which are necessary for the provision of healthcare services. The mission
of eHealth system implementation in focuses on better accessibility, quality, and continuity of
healthcare services for country residents through implementation of information and
communication systems. It is expected that these processes would lead to higher level of citizen’s
awareness and involvement in protecting their health; as well as more effective use of available
resources for provision and expansion of healthcare services, based on modern IT technologies. For
instance, the creation of a common, user-friendly health information service for residents, patients,
physicians, and healthcare administrators is the main focus of the vision of the National eHealth
system development strategy in Kenya. The strategy is based on experience of good practices in the
health system. But direct transferability of these practices is complicated due to laws, politics,
financing of the health care sector, computer equipment, competences of medical staff, and, of
course, language and cultural differences. This paper presents the applications, advantages and
disadvantages of ICT in healthcare systems. Moreover, the ethical and legal practices involving in
healthcare systems are also discussed. Finally, the recommendations on the importance of the use of
ICT in healthcare system are outlined.
Key words: Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, ICT.