Medical supplies on ships

Abstract

It is mandatory for every ship sailing under Bulgarian flag to be equipped with the necessary medical and sanitary materials to ensure the safety of the crew. All requirements about medical care on ships are described in the Merchant Shipping Code and more specifically in Ordinance № 9.

The document outlines requirements for different types of mandatory drugs and sanitary materials, people responsible for the implementation of the Ordinance and the control authorities.

The ships are classified in three categories (A, B, C), the drugs are classified in four appendices. Тhe first appendix contains the international nonproprietary names of all mandatory drugs with their dosage forms. They are classified according to the ATC classification. The quantities are in accordance with ships category. The second appendix contains all types of sanitary materials, which are mandatory. In the next appendix are listed different types of dangerous materials (explosives, poisonous gases, radioactive substances, flammable substances, etc.). In appendix 4 are listed drugs required in the event of accidents on ships carrying dangerous materials.

Using literature data, we can identify that there are numerous fundamental differences in the drug supply process on land compare to open sea, specifically in a European country such as Bulgaria. Although the main purpose of this process is the well-being of the crew, the law does not require the supervision of a Master in Pharmacy. Whether this impairs the physical and/or financial access to medicines, medical and sanitary products of potential patients should be the subject of further research.