DIS Drugs Registration Information System

Abstract

The organization of the work reflects the author's view of what constitutes the process of drugs registration and the development of the new computer application system to improve this process. Most computerbased information processing systems are seen to serve one or two general social functions: coordination of diversity or control of disorder. Coordination and control signify the extremes of a continuum of social choices. Aids to the delivery of social services exemplify the former; the latter is manifest in the use of databanks for surveillance purposes. DRIS is no exception. It is a mixture of the two, perhaps not in equal measures; more of a control of disorder than coordination of diversity, at least for the time being. This document is an outgrowth of notes prepared during a 12 week project on drugs .registration for the Division of Pharmacy at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health (Kenya). A preliminary draft has been used at the Institute of Computer Science (UoN) to evaluate my performance in the Postgraduate Diploma course I have undergone over the last one year.