Assessment of Cold Chain Logistics Management of Pharmaceuticals the Case of Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Services: A descriptive cross- sectional study
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Date
2023-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Cold Chain Management is a network of facilities and distribution options that
performs the usual functions of a standard supply chain cycle but with temperature and
humidity control throughout the supply chain stages and entities. A cold supply chain is
important within the changing global economy today due to the huge increasing need for the
products of temperature controlled industries.
Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess cold chain logistics of temperature
sensitive pharmaceuticals including vaccines in Ethiopian Pharmaceutical supply service.
Result: In this study, it was identified that factors that influence cold chain logistics of
pharmaceuticals; are inadequate vehicles for the distribution of cold chain pharmaceuticals to
public healthcare facilities, lack of sufficient storage area for storage of cold chain
pharmaceuticals, poor record keeping for unfit for use pharmaceuticals and lack of knowledge
among some of staffs working on storage and distribution directorate Ethiopian
Pharmaceuticals Service.
Methodology: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted between December
2021 to February 2023 in EPSS central and Addis Ababa no2 which are located in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, data was collected from 69 respondents working on storage and distribution
directorate of EPSS. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out to analyze the data.
Conclusion and Recommendations:, Insufficient storage space, Lack of cold chain
vehicles ,lack of knowledge among some staffs and poor documentations for unfit for use
pharmaceuticals were challenges observed at Ethiopian Pharmaceutical supply service and
recommendations were given to improve storage conditions and facilities of by availing
sufficient storage area and equipment by expanding and constructing additional centralized
warehouses, availing sufficient cold chain vehicles, providing on job training for staffs working
storage and distribution and improving documentation for unfit for use pharmaceuticals
Description
Keywords
Cold chain, logistics, Pharmaceuticals, Time and Temperature sensitive