Objectives Access to affordable quality essential medicines in developing countries like Nigeria continues to be a challenge despite interventions by relevant stakeholders. Inadequate management of the medicines supply chain is a major contributing factor. This study aims at identifying indicators for the poor supply chain management (SCM) for medicines in Nigeria. Methods Quantitative and qualitative data from logistics companies and pharmacists practicing in Nigeria were obtained and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis respectively. Key findings Logistics companies are not adequately equipped and no monitoring is in place to ensure that standards are set and followed. About 84% of logistics companies had no set of standard operating procedures for medicines logistics. About 37% are capable of providing cold chain logistics depending on the duration. There was no form of regulation enforcing standards for medicines logistics. Pharmacists’ views suggest that poor logistics and SCM practices, weak regulation and policy implementation and lack of support for in‐country medical logisticians are factors affecting efficient SCM of medicines. Conclusions Indicators for poor SCM of medicines were identified, hence, the need for establishing measures for improvement. Such measures may include more political will in implementing policies, financing SCM of medicines, building in‐country skills and capacity in SCM of medicines, individualizing and segmenting medicines supply chains, and creating a regulatory body for certifying and professionalizing medical logistics companies, logisticians and supply chain managers in Nigeria. These may lead to better access to quality and affordable medicines.
Background Supply chain management is essential for cold chain medicines since they are temperature‐controlled and must be maintained within a specific temperature range to ensure product integrity and quality. In Nigeria, guidelines that address drug distribution do not adequately address the issue of cold chain management in addition to challenges in implementation. Given the chaotic medicines distribution system, this study examined the quality of practice of supply chain management of cold chain products in line with the World Health Organisation's Expert Committee report on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations. Methods The study was set in Abuja Nigeria and descriptive survey was used to explore cold chain supply management. A checklist developed from regulatory requirements stipulated by the World Health Organisation covering documentations, storage and distribution guidelines was used to assess supply chain management of cold chain medicines across various facilities. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results The results from this study showed that most of the storage facilities assessed (66.7%) did not meet up to the required standards of quality management for cold chain products. In addition, 50.4% of retail and hospital pharmacy facilities performed poorly in cold chain management practices. Many of aspects of quality management guidelines and regulations were not met by the facilities. Most facilities (66.7%) do not have their equipment calibrated, 43.6% of the hospital and retail pharmacies assessed do not have an automated system to cater for power failure while 37.6% do not perform a temperature check on cold chain products before receiving from suppliers. Conclusion The study has shown that the levels of the supply chain assessed for quality management and regulatory compliance performed poorly. There was limited availability and use of validated quality monitoring systems for cold chain medicines in these facilities.
Objectives Pharmacy practice now requires more patient-centred and outcome-oriented approach, hence the need for a more value-based model. In developing countries like Nigeria, out-of-pocket spending for health care is high and patients usually visit the community pharmacy first to attend to their health needs. Since patients need to get value for their money, assessing their perception on services provided and their need for value-added pharmacy services is imperative. Thus, this study aims at assessing the perception of patients on services provided by community pharmacies in Nigeria and to ascertain their needs for value-added pharmacy services. Methods A 15-item questionnaire was administered to randomly sampled respondents who routinely visit their community pharmacy. The questionnaire addressed demographics, satisfaction with community pharmacy practice, accessibility of healthcare professionals and need for value-added pharmacy services. The respondents gave oral informed consent prior to administration of the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were applied in data analysis. Key Findings A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed, and 300 were duly filled and returned. The survey lasted for 3 months, and the questionnaires were self-completed. All respondents agreed that pharmacy practice is important in healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Seventy-one per cent stated that the community pharmacy was their first port of call for treating minor ailments and seeking advice on medicines and health. Furthermore, 61% indicated that they trust pharmacists more than other health professionals in the area of medicines provision and advice. All respondents agreed that they require provision of more services other than medication dispensing and advice from their pharmacists. Conclusions Results suggest that patients have a positive perception towards community pharmacists as the most accessible and trusted health professionals for minor ailments and medicines provision. However, in addition to medicines provision, these patients require more services from pharmacists that add value in meeting their various health and medicines needs.
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