Assessment of Pharmaceutical Logistics Management Performance for Key Essential Drugs in Public Health Facilities of Bench- Sheko Zone SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: To provide complete healthcare the situation requires availability of safe, effective and affordable medicines and related supplies of the required quality, in adequate quantity at all times. Since, in the earlier the medicine supply systems of the country had critical challenges. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the logistics management performance for key essential drugs in public health facilities in Bench-Sheko Zone SNNPR. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional descriptive study design complemented with a qualitative method was done from October 22 to December 21/2020 in 25 public health facilities of Bench-Sheko Zone. The Quantitative data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire and check list implemented from logistics indicator assessment tools(LIAT)whereas the Qualitative data was collected using physical observation and in- depth interview of key informants was carried out using tools adopted from logistics system assessment(LSAT).The collected data were checked and entered into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Finally descriptive findings were presented by tables, figures and percentages. Result: A total of 25 health facilities were involved in this study. All of them used bin card for logistic data recording but majority 22(88%)of them were not used stock record card. Seven (28%) of the surveyed facilities used electronic bin cards. The (68%), 13(52%), and 15(60%) of the facilities have storage, quantification and pharmaceutical waste management guide lines correspondingly. The average availability of key essential tracer drugs on the day of visit was 76.48%;Among available tracer drugs, Glucose 40% and tetanus anti toxin (TAT) were stock out thought the six months while TDF/3TC/EFV adult tab and ferrous Sulphate with folic acid tablet were the most expired tracer drugs 40% and 29.36% among others respectively. Commonly, 23 (92%) of the facilities practice consumption technique to quantify their medicinal demand and 16(64%) of the surveyed health facilities have developed their own specific drug list; similarly majority 23(92%) of the health facilities were not receive NPDs from EPSA they orders. Majority 17(68%) of the health facilities was not full filled the desired storage condition standard of (>80%). Conclusion:-the study conclude that there were required to improve the logistics management performance of essential tracer drugs in the health facilities regarding to drug selection, availability, stock out rate, wastage rate, transportation access and storage practices since it was found to be deficient compared with standards. Corresponding administrations should improve their responsible actions to safe and sound commodities availability.