Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pharmaceutical systems and supply chain – a phenomenological study

Abstract

Background Resilient pharmaceutical systems and supply chains are critical in the control of COVID-19, a pandemic that has mostly devastated public health systems and livelihoods in resource-limited countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on pharmaceutical systems and supply chain in a resource-limited setting. Methods A descriptive qualitative survey using a phenomenological approach was conducted among key informants in the public and private pharmaceutical sectors of Namibia. Data were collected on the perceived impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the supply chain, as well as access and availability of essential medicines among the distributors and points of care in the private and public sectors. Qualitative themes of the impact were analyzed using Tesch's approach. Results Of the 21 key-informants, 57.1% were female and 85% were from the private versus the public pharmaceutical sector. Overall, key informants reported a negative impact on access and availability of essential medicines, particularly sanitation and hygiene products, and antimicrobials. Most medicine outlets, experienced longer lead times, attributed to reduced inter-country transportation of goods and services and limited in-country capacity and capabilities to manufacture. The main thematic challenges included bureaucratic bottlenecks and lack of emergency readiness of the medicine's logistics supply chain in Namibia. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic aggravated the inequitable access to essential medicines in the public and private sectors of Namibia. Governments in resource-limited countries need to strengthen in-country Private-Public Partnerships as well as regional treaties for Universal Health Coverage in context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tracer Pharmaceuticals Availability and Distribution Trends Prior to and During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study

“…Owing to the pandemic’s disruption and possible difficulties in acquiring products, border closures, as well as, the government proposed isolation measures, the pandemic has severely affected the supply chain. This study is comparable to studies conducted in Namibia, 29 Saudi Arabia, 30 and Nigeria. 31 …”

“…25 In the current study, following the Owing to the pandemic's disruption and possible difficulties in acquiring products, border closures, as well as, the government proposed isolation measures, the pandemic has severely affected the supply chain. This study is comparable to studies conducted in Namibia, 29 Saudi Arabia, 30 and Nigeria. 31 Before the pandemic, most companies around the world were implementing lean supply chains, with an emphasis on cost optimization and just-in-time delivery.…”

“…This entails the agency focusing on implementing agile working practices, establishing a resilient logistics system, strengthening domestic supply chain capabilities, regularly monitoring supplier performance, and developing contingency plans with supplying partners. 15 , 29 , 34 , 35 …”

“…This entails the agency focusing on implementing agile working practices, establishing a resilient logistics system, strengthening domestic supply chain capabilities, regularly monitoring supplier performance, and developing contingency plans with supplying partners. 15,29,34,35 Covid-19 has put an unprecedented demand on the healthcare products delivery system. Most nations rely on imports of drugs, raw materials, and equipment from countries outside their territory, most notably India and China.…”

Extent of and Factors Associated with Self-Medication among Clients Visiting Community Pharmacies in the Era of COVID-19: Does It Relieve the Possible Impact of the Pandemic on the Health-Care System?

“… 20 , 21 The disease’s rapid spread has resulted in national lockdowns, prohibited international movement, and in some cases trade. 22 This could have hampered drug supply in health-care facilities 23 and discouraged people from seeking medical attention there. 24 This may have led to people looking for medications from sources other than pharmacies, contributing to a rise in self-medication.…”