Assessment of Pharmaceuticals Distribution System: The Case of Pharmaceuticals Fund and Supply Agency (PFSA)
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Date
2017-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Government of Ethiopia is focusing to avail pharmaceuticals at an affordable price,accessible to
all citizens through pharmaceuticals fund and Supply agency.However the Ethiopian
pharmaceuticals distribution system is constrained by weak distribution practices and weak fleet
management.
The objective of this studywas to assess the pharmaceuticals supply chain distribution system
practices at PFSA.The study employed both quantitative and qualitative study approaches.
Quantitative data was collected from 41 employees using self-administeredquestionnaires,
whereas, interview questions were also used to collect qualitative data from the two directors and
31 Drivers.Descriptive data analysis method through the use of Statistical packages for social
science (SPSS) version 20 software was used to analyze the data.
Findings of the study showed that most of the employees perceived the following;warehousing
and storage are moderately practiced however computerized system for inventory control to pick
products was not fully implemented in the warehouses, availability of mechanical machines is
very low. Location of some warehouses was not comfortable to load pharmaceuticals. They also
agreed that fleet management of the agency has the following problems: global positioning
system (GPS) was not in place, volume of the vehicles is not known,there is lowcoordination
withreceiving health facilities. During transportation, pharmaceuticals were managed by drivers.
Delivery document prepared as soon as they comes from hubs and health facilities, however
there is limitations in that documents were not prepared considering to pick all products from a
single warehouse. The study recommends that agency shall fully implement computerized
system and use of mechanical machines in the warehouses. To control vehicles, PFSA shall
apply GPS andperform volume determination for each vehicle. It is also recommended pharmacy
professional shall handle when transporting pharmaceuticals. Over all, the entire agency is
expected to work coordinatelywith receiving health facilities.
Key words; distribution practices’
‘ warehousing and storage ‘
‘fleet management’ Communication
system
Description
Keywords
Distribution practices’ warehousing and storage ‘fleet management’ Communication system