Assessment of Inventory Management Performance of Anticancer Medicines and Associated Challenges in Selected Cancer Treatment Centers in Ethiopia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a concern worldwide and next to cardiovascular diseases, is the second largest cause of death worldwide. A cancer drug is a pivotal part of cancer treatment and influences the survival rate of cancer patients worldwide. Appropriate management of anticancer medicines at different stages of supply chain is important. Inventory management is a core part of supply chain management that helps to maintain a steady supply of patients. Objective: This study aimed to assess the inventory management performance of anticancer medicines and associated challenges in cancer treatment centers in Ethiopia, 2025. Method: A mixed method study was conducted from March 1- 30, 2025. The quantitative data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and observational checklists. The qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews with key informants. For data entry Epi-data version 4.5 used whereas SPSS version 26 for analysis. The fisher‟s exact test was used to identify predictors of the dependent variable. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05. Qualitative data were analyzed manually using the thematic content analysis technique. Result: The average availability of anticancer medicines was 46.9%. The mean duration of day‟s sock out was 82 days. Of the assessed total bin cards 110 (84.6%) were updated. Whereas, 122 (93.8%) of bin cards were accurately filled. Over the past year, 20.6% (3,574,505.97 ETB) (27,208.7912 US $) of anticancer medicines were wasted due to damage and expiration. The cancer treatment centers met 77.9 % of criteria for good storage practice. Inventory management performance had statistically significant association with the factors such as IPLS training, supportive supervision, and the facility stock tacking practices at p < 0.05 shown by fisher‟s exact test. Stock out of anticancer medicines, budget constraints, lack of capacity building training, lack of standard separate storage area for anticancer medicines were the major challenges identified. Conclusion: The inventory management performance of anticancer medicines was poor, resulting in stock out with long duration, high wastage rate, and poor storage condition. Problems related to availability of products, capacity building training, and storage conditions were identified. Therefore, Ministry of Health, assessed health facilities, and Ethiopian pharmaceuticals Supply Services should take measures to improve them.