Pharmaceutical Inventory Management Practices on Service Delivery
Abstract
Description
This purpose of this study was to explore how Pharmaceutical inventory management leads
to improved service level at Nyamagana Hospital. The study was guided by the general
objective which was to explore howpharmaceutical inventory management leads to improved
service level atNyamagana Hospital. The specific objectives were (1) to explore the inventory
management practice in the pharmacy store at Nyamagana Hospital, (2) assess the record
keeping practices and documents used for inventory control at Nyamagana Hospital, and (3)
to explore the required education level in effective managing pharmaceutical inventories or
assess management strategies on enhancing staff competence in inventory control of
Nyamagana Hospitalmedical Center.The study adopted a qualitativemethodology whereby
interview guide was used as tool of data collection. The study interviewed 8 workers in a
hospital including nurses and office stores attendants. The responses were recorded and later
on transcribed and analysed using thematic coding.Themes were generated from each
research objective. The findings revealed that Nyamagana Hospital uses both manual and
computerized inventory recording system. Various tools were used in record keeping
including min-max inventory management system, three months order to MSD and twice per
week order to main store. Finally, the competence level required for effectively management
of pharmaceutical inventory, it was found to be the knowledge of both store keeping as well
as pharmacy. Even though the respondents did not posses all these qualifications, the hospital
had ensured to hire a combination of personnel involved in the management and dispensing
of pharmaceutical inventories so as to minimize the problem of competence level. Finally the
respondents revealed that there was a reported problem with batch inventory miss match,
instability of the internet network system due to poor infrastructure on ICT and the problem
of nearly expiring commodities. The study is important as it can provide information on
management of pharmaceutical inventories which can be used by various organizations that
deal in storing and dissemination of pharmaceutical products. The study recommends that the
management of the hospitals should enhance staff competence for total computerized system
application as well as for the effective inventory management practice through scheduled on
job training coaching and job rotation.
Keywords
PHARMACEUTICAL INVENTORY