Integrated Pharmaceutical Logistics System Implementation in Chagni Primary Hospital and Injibara General Hospital, Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Integrated Pharmaceutical Logistics System is the primary mechanism through which all public health facilities in Ethiopia get essential pharmaceutical products from their main supplier. Pharmaceuticals should be managed appropriately because they are part of the link between the patient and health services and account for up to half of the healthcare budget. This study aimed to assess the status of Integrated Pharmaceutical Logistics System implementation at both Chagni Primary Hospital and Injibara General Hospital. Methods Facility-based descriptive study design supported with a qualitative study design was used. Face-to-face interviews, observation of practices, and document review were conducted to gather quantitative data. Besides, the qualitative data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews. Frequency and percentage were computed, and the results were briefly described in text and displayed in tables and graphs. The qualitative data were transcribed manually, and thematic analysis was done. Results All IPLS materials were available in both hospitals, but the stock recording card was not available at Injibara General Hospital. About 90% and 100% of the dispensing units in Chagni Primary Hospital and Injibara general hospital were utilizing bin-cards, respectively. Besides, 50% and 80% of the bin-cards in Chagrin Primary Hospital and Injibara General Hospital were regularly updated, respectively. About 80% and 75% of the IFRRs in Chagni Primary Hospital and Injibara General Hospital reported valid data, respectively. Besides, 66.67% and 50% of the RRFs reviewed at Chagni Primary Hospital and Injibara General Hospital reported valid data, respectively. Medicine stockouts, poor staff commitment, and workload were the major bottlenecks for IPLS execution. Conclusion The status of most of the IPLS implementation indicators in both hospitals was good. Especially, the availabilities of IPLS materials and the calculation accuracy of both RRFs and IFRRs were encouraging in both hospitals. However, the validity of the data reported in IFRRs and RRFs, and the status of the storage conditions in both hospitals need some improvement during the implementations of IPLS.

Evaluation of logistics management information system and availability of non-program tracer drugs in public health facilities in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Likewise, a study in Dessie found that oral rehydration salt had the least frequently updated bin-card [ 3 ]. Bin-cards play a crucial role in drug management by providing essential information on stock balance, receipt and issue quantities, and expiration dates [ 10 , 21 ].…”

“…The SOP for IPLS recommends that health facilities should complete RRF as per their review period and collect products from the affiliated EPSA branch [ 10 , 22 ]. However, the results indicate that only 16.7% of the health facilities used RRF, while the majority used their own forms for reporting and requesting these drugs.…”

“…LMIS should capture three essential data items: stock on hand, consumption data, and losses and adjustments, all of which play a crucial role in making informed logistics decisions [ 1 , 5 , 9 ]. In Ethiopia, these essential data are documented and reported through the Integrated Pharmaceuticals Logistics System (IPLS) using various forms, including the bin-card, stock-record card, Internal Report and Resupply Form (IFRRF), Report and Requisition Form (RRF), and Health Post Monthly Report and Resupply Form (HPMRRF) [ 1 , 10 , 11 ]. Despite these efforts, studies conducted in Ethiopia have identified significant challenges, indicating that most health facilities experience poor data quality in their stock-keeping records and reports [ 11 ].…”