Browsing by Author "G/hans Micheale"

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    Devolution Versus Centralization of Various Logistic Functions of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency; Qualitative study
    (Addis Abeba University, 2020-06) G/hans Micheale; Ensermu Matiwos; Messele Bruck; Teshome Dawit
    Background: The logistic system in most developing countries including Ethiopia is centralizedwhere the central government has excessiveresponsibility over various logistic functions such asplanning/budgeting, forecasting, procurement, warehousing and distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies. However, these countries are suffering from poor stockavailability of essential medicines at service delivery point, shortage of storage space and highwork load in their central warehouses. Objective: The aim of the study is to explore perception of pharmaceutical supply chainprofessionals on devolution versus centralization of various logistic functions of EthiopianPharmaceutical Supply Agency (EPSA). Method: Qualitative study design was employed. Two cluster offices of EPSA such as Adamaand Northern cluster offices including the head office along with their respective regional healthbureaus and Ministry of health were purposively selected. Accordingly key informants who havehigh expertise on pharmaceutical logistic system were selected from designated study sites. Thekey informant interview was conducted using tape recorder by federal working language(Amharic). Finally, the data was analyzed manually using thematic analysis. Result: Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply system has raised lots of complaints particularlyover revolving drug fund (RDF) supply. Availability of RDF drugs was highly affected bycentralization of the pharmaceutical supply system. Budgeting, direct receiving andwarehousing, inventory control system were among logistic functions which were chosen to havelow degree of centralization, while procurement was preferred to have high degree ofcentralization particularly for small and expensive items. Conclusion and recommendation: Serving pharmaceutical demand of over hundred millionpopulations through the current system particularly for RDF products was perceived as difficult.Hence, either empowering cluster offices to exercise within central guidance of head office ordevolution of central EPSA to autonomous regional offices was demanded.