Pharmacy

Supply Chain Agility and Associated Factors among Pharmaceutical Suppliers in Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia

2025-09-07T00:00:00Z

Supply Chain Agility and Associated Factors among Pharmaceutical Suppliers in Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia Zerihun Tesfaye; Tadesse Gudeta Background: Supply Chain Agility allows pharmaceutical suppliers to operate effectively in a fast-changing environment by enabling quick and flexible responses. This study aims to assess the supply chain agility practices, identify factors influencing agility, and explore challenges in implementing these practices in both the public and private sectors of pharmaceutical suppliers in the Sidama region of Ethiopia. Methods: From June 2024 to July 2024, a mixed method study design was concurrently implemented among pharmaceutical suppliers in the Sidama region, Ethiopia. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale. A stratified random sampling method was used to include a total of 327 participants, consisting of 126 from customers of the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) and 201 from customers of private suppliers. The quantitative data were entered in Epidata V 4.6, and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, where both descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. For the qualitative component, a purposive sampling technique was employed to conduct interviews with 12 key informants. The resulting data were then analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: A total of 313 completed responses were obtained, resulting in a response rate of 95.7%. 141 (45%) expressed disagreement with the variety of products offered by suppliers. The majority, 173 (55.3%), reported experiencing delays in receiving their products. 92 (29.4%) agreed that suppliers frequently experience stock outs. The adjusted R-squared value of 0.339 indicates that 33.9% of the variance in supply chain agility is explained by the independent variables in the model. The study found that ICT (β=0.434, p<0.001), collaboration (β=0.101, p=0.044), innovations, budget, and data quality significantly affect supply chain agility. A one-unit increase in ICT adoption is associated with a 0.434-unit increase in supply chain agility. The p-values (<0.001) indicate a statistically significant association between ICT and supply chain agility. Major challenges identified in supply chain agility implementation included supply shortages, inadequate technologies, poor data quality, foreign currency fluctuations, import restrictions, and high tariffs on imported products. iii Conclusion: Supply chain agility is poorly practiced regarding order fill rate, flexibility, product variety, and lead time, though pharmaceutical suppliers demonstrate strong practice regarding competency. Major challenges to implementing supply chain agility include supply shortages, technological limitations, inadequate human resources, poor data quality, financial constraints, and reliance on foreign companies due to low local production rates. The study identified statistically significant associations between ICT, collaboration, innovation, budget, and data quality. Recommendation: The researcher recommends that pharmaceutical suppliers to enhance their use of information communication technology (ICT). It is also recommends that pharmaceutical suppliers to collaborate with customers to share knowledge and best practices, as well as work with other partners in the supply chain. Further recommends the Regional Health Bureau, Zonal Health Office, Woreda Health Office, and health facilities to work on providing adequate training and ongoing supervision to address and improve challenges related to supply chain agility.

Regulatory Compliance and Quality of Fixed-Dose Combination Amoxicillin–Clavulanic Acid Oral Suspensions:Evedence From Drug Retail Outlets In Sheger City, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

2026-02-18T00:00:00Z

Regulatory Compliance and Quality of Fixed-Dose Combination Amoxicillin–Clavulanic Acid Oral Suspensions:Evedence From Drug Retail Outlets In Sheger City, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia Wude Deressa; Sultan Suleman Background: Fixed-dose combination amoxicillin-clavulanic acid oral suspensions are commonly used in pediatric care but are susceptible to degradation under inadequate storage conditions, especially in low-resource settings including Ethiopia. Objective: To assess regulatory compliance and the quality of Fixed-Dose Combination Amoxicillin–Clavulanic Acid Oral Suspensions:Evedences from Drug Retail Outlets of Sheger City, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study (May–July 2025) involving 200 drug retail outlets assessed product quality using 30 bottles from three brands collected via convenience sampling. Data were obtained through questionnaires, checklists, and laboratory testing, with counterfeit detection using the WHO visual inspection tool and quality evaluation per USP 40 standards. Analysis using SPSS v25 included descriptive statistics and logistic regression set at P < 0.05. Results: The study found that only 57% of drug retail outlets complied with national regulatory standards for pharmaceutical storage. While dispenser knowledge (88.9%) and attitudes (63%) toward proper storage were generally positive, practice gaps were evident. The multiple logistic regression indicates pharmacies with dispensers practicing over five years of experience were more than twice as likely to be compliant (AOR = 2.30, P = 0.028). Similarly, being a pharmacy owner (AOR = 1.86, p = 0.031) and having training in good storage practices (AOR = 1.72, p = 0.044) increased the odds of compliance. The licensed pharmacy outlets having a self-contained storage area and using a thermometer for monitoring (P<0.05) were also significantly linked to higher compliance levels. All samples met the WHO visual inspection and USP assay quality standards (amoxicillin 90–120%, clavulanic acid 90–125%). Samples from drug retail outlets that complied with national regulatory standards for pharmaceutical storage exhibited potency that is more consistent across brands. Conclusion: Despite the fact that every tested sample passed quality control testing, retail establishments continue to store pharmaceuticals in ways that do not comply with regulations, putting their long-term stability and effectiveness at risk. The study suggests that strengthened regulatory enforcement, improved storage infrastructure, and continuous dispenser training are essential to safeguard medicine quality and public health.

Assessment of HIV/AIDS Commodities Supply Chain Management Performance in Achieving 95-95-95 Targets and Challenges in Public Health Care Facilities of Sheger City, Oromia, Ethiopia.

2025-09-18T00:00:00Z

Assessment of HIV/AIDS Commodities Supply Chain Management Performance in Achieving 95-95-95 Targets and Challenges in Public Health Care Facilities of Sheger City, Oromia, Ethiopia. Wondwosen Bokore; Nimona Birhanu Background: Healthcare facilities need an extensive range of HIV/AIDS commodities for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS which are critical for achieving the 95 95-95 targets; however the SCM of HIV/AIDS commodities were not adequately studied. Existing studies shows considerable variation in performance. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess HIV/AIDS commodities supply chain management performance in achieving 95-95-95 targets and challenges in public health facilities of Sheger city, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods: Facilities based mixed quantitative and qualitative cross sectional concurrent study design was employed in 14 public healthcare facilities from 2, January 2025 to 12, February 2025. All ART providing public healthcare facilities of Sheger City were included. Semi structured questionnaires and observation checklists based on logistic indicators assessment tools (LIATs) were used to collect data for HIV/AIDS commodities SCM. Key informant interviews were conducted face-to-face with selected stakeholders. Quantitative data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 21 to analyze the result and one sample t-test statistic was employed to compare the study result to the national standard. Qualitative data collected from 17 key informants were analysed thematically using Excel. Results: A total of 83 respondents were participated in the study with response rate of 98.8%. Bin card availability averaged 90.1% and utilization 81.7% significantly below the national standard of 100% (p=0.004), with proper documentation seen in 81.1% of facilities. Order fill rates for HIV/AIDS commodities were 80.5% (p=0.002) and HIV test kits fill rates 74.28% (p = 0.003). The average re-supply lead time was 21 days, exceeding the 15-day standard (p=0.000), which increases the risk of re-supply delays. Although overall commodity availability was 90.26%, statistically comparable to the 90% benchmark (p=0.93), 92.9% of facilities reported at least one stockout in the past six months (p=0.001), particularly of test kits and Dolutegravir 50mg due to national level shortages. Wastage was low at 1.11%, within the acceptable threshold (p = 0.001) and 85.7% of facilities met storage standards, with overall compliance of 84.7% (p = 0.001). Adaption of Dagu 2.0 (78.6%) and combined electronic/manual APTS (64.3%). Qualitative finding shows that HIV/AIDS commodities SCM were challenged by frequent and widespread stock out and poor order resupply. Conclusion: Despite improvements in storage and inventory systems, gaps persist in, order fill rates and long viral load test might hinder progress toward 95-95-95 targets. Stakeholders must strengthen their efforts to improve fill rates and ensure availability of HIV commodities.

Perception of Employee Engagement and Job Satisfaction on Organizational Commitment among staffs at the selected hubs of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services

2025-09-11T00:00:00Z

Perception of Employee Engagement and Job Satisfaction on Organizational Commitment among staffs at the selected hubs of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services Waktola Dachew; Tadesse Gudeta Background: As organizations strive to enhance performance and retain talent, understanding how employees perceive their engagement and satisfaction is crucial.Organization want Engaged, satisfied, and committed employees working for them because these employees understand how they help meet the goals of the organization. However, their perception has not been studied in Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply services. Objectives: The primary aim of this research is to assess Perception of Employee Engagement and Job Satisfaction on Organizational Commitment among staff at the selected hubs of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services Methods: The study used descriptive cross-sectional design to investigate employees engaged in pharmaceutical supply chain activities at a selected hub of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services (EPSS) from November 2024 to December 2024. A sample of two hundred fifty staff members from EPSS head office and four other hubs were chosen randomly. The data were collected using a five-point likert scale with self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and analyzed using a statistical package for the social sciences version 27. Multiple linear regression was used to determine associations and make predictions between dependent and independent variables, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 282 questionnaires distributed, only 250 employees responded. From the finding of this study employee engagement and job satisfaction which were independent variables regressed on organizational commitment as dependent variable had significant positive impact on organizational commitment with standardized regression coefficients (β) of 0.273( p-value <0.001 and 0.243 p-value<0.001,respectively. However, there is a little variations around 12.4% were explained in organizational commitment of employees at selected hub of EPSS. Conclusion and Recommendations: The findings indicate that when employees feel engaged in their roles and satisfied with their work environment, they are more likely to develop a strong commitment to the organization.