Applying Total Quality Management Cost Model in Drug Intervention Programme

Abstract

Abstract-Total Quality Management has been applied widely in the business sector in particular to assess the impact of continuous quality in the day to day operation. The emphasis was more on preventive than cure. Many government sectors in Malaysia are moving towards adopting this concept to ensure that quality product and services are delivered to their customers. In this paper, the researcher introduces the concept of TQM to cost drug intervention programme in particular the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP), conducted in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The paper also measures the effectiveness of the activities using the concept of 4Cs. The framework has never been used before to cost and at the same time determine the effectiveness of harm reduction programme. The result demonstrated that the NSEP is cost effective in preventing the spreading of HIV virus through needle-syringe sharing. It also reveals the importance of creating awareness among the public about the programme and the benefits of such programme. The research findings will better promote the programme to the government so that a larger investment would be made to prevent the spreading of HIV virus in the country.Index terms-4Cs, harm reduction, NSEP, total quality management. I. INTRODUCTIONIn the past, cost effectiveness on the harm reduction programmes were conducted through the eyes of non-management accountant. These work mostly involved classifying and quantifying the costs of harm reduction, as evident by some literatures. Any costs that relates to detecting and treating of diseases were classified as direct costs whereas costs that relates to any production lost as a result of premature mortality, morbidity and the use of health care services were classified as indirect costs [1].The intervention costs have also been classified as financial costs and economic costs [2]. In measuring the effectiveness of the activities, productivity costs were also introduced which described some indirect costs associated to intervention activities [3]. The harm reduction has also been identified as annual costs of methadone substitution; additional counselling and program support costs as well as annual health costs [4].In this paper the authors will costs the activities relating to harm reduction using the total quality management by introducing the 4Cs. Manuscript