Browsing by Author "Gedif, Teferi (BPharm,MPH,PhD)"

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    Assessment of Pharmaceutical Logistic Management System in Amhara, Oromia and SNNP Regions of Ethiopia; the Case of Maternal Health Medicines
    (Addis Ababa University, 2015-02) Zewge, Essete; Gedif, Teferi (BPharm,MPH,PhD)
    Pharmaceutical system assessments are useful to diagnose problems and plan interventions in order to enhance performance of a logistic system. This study was conducted to assess the pharmaceutical logistic system focusing on Maternal Health Medicines (MHMs) in Oromia, Amhara and SNNP regions of Ethiopia. The study employed cross sectional study design and used both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools to collect the required information. Adopted versions of Logistics System Assessment Tool (LSAT) and the Logistics Indicators Assessment Tool (LIAT) were used to collect data. Key informant interview, document review and structured observation were used as data collection tools. Data was collected from November 6 to December 5 2013. The quantitative data was analyzed using Microsoft excel spreadsheet and the qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The MHMs were managed by revolving rug fund scheme and the assessment result of the logistic management information system showed that logistic data reports which provide information to decision makers at various levels were not used consistently. Guidelines and procedures were available for inventory control mechanisms which were being implemented mostly to program medicines integrated in to the Integrated Pharmaceuticals Logistics System (IPLS) which did not include the selected MHMs. Utilization of inventory control cards, which are the basics of proper inventory control procedures were low at the visited rural health centers. There was shortage of vehicles to transport and distribute medicines at each level of the system. There are guidelines for storage and handling of all medicines at all levels of the supply system. However, at central and regional stores, there was inadequate storage capacity at the time of data collection. To solve this problem, new warehouses were being built both at central and hubs of Pharmaceuticals Fund and Supply Agency (PFSA). Supervisory visits were conducted at the visited health facilities although not on regular basis. Integrating MHMs fully in to the IPLS could improve quality of logistic records and reports. Stakeholders of pharmaceutical supply chain management should particularly work on integrating supervision activities and strengthening the capacity of regional, zonal and woreda health offices logistic officers in order to build their capacity.