NDLI: Public sector pharmaceutical distribution system and its challenges: a case of a central Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service and selected branches

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Getahun, Kidus Tesfaye Bilal, Arebu Issa Cho, Denny J.
Abstract	Background The purpose of pharmaceutical distribution is to ensure a consistent supply of quality-assured pharmaceuticals to service delivery points to avoid stock outs and/or overstocks. However, choosing a resource-efficient method is difficult because of the two competing interests of lowering distribution costs and improving service level. This study aimed to assess the public sector pharmaceutical distribution system and its challenges in central Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service and selected branches. Methods This study was conducted at the Central Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service and four regional branches between December 2021 and February 2022, utilizing a concurrent parallel mixed-methods design. The quantitative component involved 104 respondents, with data analyzed using SPSS 23 through descriptive statistics. For the qualitative component, 17 key informants participated, and the data were manually analyzed through thematic analysis using an inductive approach. Results Warehouse management was performed relatively well compared to inventory management and delivery practices, with overall mean scores of 3.22, 3.14, and 3.08, respectively. The qualitative study highlighted key challenges, including insufficient stock, off-schedule deliveries, the provision of near-expiry products, and vehicle constraints. Conclusions This study demonstrated that improving warehousing, inventory management, and delivery practices, while addressing key challenges, could significantly improve the effectiveness of pharmaceutical distribution.
Related Links	https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12913-025-12404-6.pdf
Ending Page	12
Page Count	12
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	14726963
DOI	10.1186/s12913-025-12404-6
Journal	BMC Health Services Research
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	25
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2025-02-19
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Public Health Health Administration Health Informatics Nursing Research Distribution Practice Inventory Management Pharmaceutical Distribution System Warehouse Management
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health Policy

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1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
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9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

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