Abstract
BackgroundPharmaceutical’s procurement is a core component of logistics management, and has a significant influence on product availability, and total supply chain costs. In Ethiopia, there are few studies on this topic where almost all of them were from suppliers’ perspectives and entirely quantitative. This study, therefore, aimed to assess health professionals’ perceptions about pharmaceuticals procurement performance in public health facilities in southwest Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study complemented with a qualitative method was conducted from March 20 and April 30, 2019. We collected the quantitative data through self-administered structured questionnaires from pharmacy staff and document review using checklists. EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics were done for quantitative data. Qualitative data were gathered through face-to-face in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis technique.ResultsRegarding respondents’ perception of accountability in pharmaceutical procurement, 110 (57.9%) agreed or strongly agreed that their facilities adopt and use standard treatment guidelines and facility-specific medicine lists. Concerning competitiveness, 139 (62.6%) of the participants either disagreed or strongly disagreed that their facilities used formal suppliers’ qualifications based on service reliability and financial capacity. Regarding efficiency, 146 (76.8%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that their facilities develop a mechanism for prompt, reliable payment to lower medicine prices. The qualitative analysis identified staff workforce and competency, budget shortages, suppliers’ uncertainty, and pharmaceutical non-availability as challenges for procurement management performance.ConclusionThe results indicated that participants perceived procurement performance of their facilities as poor. Therefore, staff development, fundraising options, monitoring and evaluation, coordination and collaboration can improve procurement practice and performance.
Highlights
Pharmaceutical’s procurement is a core component of logistics management, and has a significant influence on product availability, and total supply chain costs
We reviewed some procurement documents of the last year, July 8, 2017, to July 7, 2018, to compliment the information obtained from health professionals
Findings of the quantitative assessment Socio‐demographic characteristics One hundred ninety-five participants involved in the study of which 190 of them responded properly, with a response rate of 97.44%
Summary
Pharmaceutical’s procurement is a core component of logistics management, and has a significant influence on product availability, and total supply chain costs. This study, aimed to assess health professionals’ perceptions about pharmaceuticals procurement performance in public health facilities in southwest Ethiopia. Pharmaceutical’s procurement is a core component of logistics management, and has a significant influence on availability, and total supply chain (SC) costs [1]. Public procurement activities need to work towards the fulfillment of objectives, such as the acquisition of high-grade products in a sufficient amount for the correct cost and designated time under the contractual means using government budget [3,4,5]. To meet the intended objectives, every effective procurement activity must follow the fundamental concepts of transparency and employ open bidding unless there are valid grounds for purchasing from a single vendor. Rational pharmaceuticals procurement practices dictate that purchases should be limited to the essential drug list, based on generic names, in large-volumes whenever possible, in quantities based on a reasonable estimation of real requirements, consistency, quality control, and supplier certifications [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
