Assessment of Integrated Pharmaceutical Logistics System in Selected Health Facilities under Jimma Branch Pharmaceutical Fund and Supply Agency

Abstract

As part of a major intervention to improve the health supply chain situation in the country, PFSA, began implementing the Integrated Pharmaceuticals Logistics System (IPLS) in 2011 at all of its branches. The general objective of the study is to assess the IPLS in Selected Health Facilities under Jimma Branch Pharmaceutical Fund and Supply Agency (PFSA). A cross sectional qualitative and quantitative methods of research was used and data was collected from 25 health facilities of Jimma and Ilubabora zones included in phase I IPLS implementation (2011) by interview questions, document review and questionnaires. Descriptive statistics like percent, mean and standard deviation and statistical tools such as; Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, Mann Whitney U test were used for data analysis. It was found that, the level of implementation of IPLS is good in terms of availability of formats, training and capacity building. System performance in terms of LMIS formats usage, LMIS data quality, stock out rate, lead time, reliability and responsiveness of the supply chain is not as desired. Customer satisfaction on pre transaction and post transaction supply chain services is good. But, it is weak with transaction supply chain services. It is concluded that, though the progresses seen so far are encouraging, IPLS implementation didn’t yet bring about the desired level of achievements in a number of SC parameters used to evaluate the supply chain practices and performance. It is recommended that similar studies be made at other PFSA branches to get the whole picture. It is also recommended to invest and work more in streamlining the SC system integration with supply chain partners through objective alignment, collaboration, data visibility, streamlining processes through removing unnecessary steps, and increasing responsiveness and resilience.