Reverse logistics practice and challenges in case of Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply agency (epsa) jimma branch, south west Ethiopia

Abstract

Reverse logistics is an important process that is often misunderstood. Many organizations do not understand what processes and procedures to follow and how to manage reverse logistics efficiently. Though studies was showing the positive impacts of adoption of various reverse logistics practices, the researcher will be finding no research works that specifically shown how adoption of reverse logistics practices can impact on organization in the case of EPFSA in Jimma branch. The objectives of this study to determine best practices in reverse logistics, reverse logistics challenges that organizations face to manage their reverse logistics more efficiently effectively. In order to investigate the study was employed a Descriptive research design and it was used both quantitative and qualitative method. The researcher was collecting data relate with the extent of organization’ revere logistics practices and its challenges by using structured questionnaires, interview, observing and different secondary documents. The paper was used a Purposive sampling technique in order to select sample respondents from the target population of the study. Regarding the reverse logistic practices of the agency, the agency has good transportation facilities or infrastructure which interconnected the branches with the catchment public health facilities. Thus, the agency has facilities for returned products and the agency’s branches easily access the facilities for the recall products. The agency RLP could have a potential for sustainable development of the catchment public health facility & had a potential to develop a branch itself, and also concerned with environmental issues. Quality defects products had not been immediately collected for recall from the facilities, The agency had no a modern way of disposal for damaged and expired products yet, Products had a complaint from the facilities had not been returned easily. Thus, products quality defects test should have to conducted at a branch level in order to immediate quality test achievements and to tackle recall after distribution and hence to prevent delay on reverse logistic practices.