Assessment of Pharmaceutical Logistic Management System in Amhara, Oromia and SNNP Regions of Ethiopia; the Case of Maternal Health Medicines
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Date
2015-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
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.
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Keywords
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management, Maternal Health Medicines, Logistic System Assessment Tool