Drugs Supplies Management: Implications Healthcare Provision

Abstract

The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital has an existing drugs supplies management system in place. It is principally managed by the Supplies and Pharmacy departments in the Hospital. Each of these departments deals with a specific sub-component of the drugs supplies management process. There is also input from other departments in the clinical areas, all of which work in a complementary and synergistic manner. No study has been done to look at the Drug supplies management process and its implications on healthcare provision in MTRH. This study attempted to fill this gap. The study investigated the general drug supplies management process in MTRH and how it influences healthcare provision in M.T.R.H. The objectives were to; assess the general drug supplies management, determine the strengths and weaknesses of the drug system and recommend ways on making an improvement. The study population comprised of all managers involved in the decision-making and day-to-day management of drugs and both the in and out patients. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select the managers and patients respectively. In total, five strategic managers, five tactical and eight operational managers, eighty-nine outpatients, and sixty-one inpatients participated in the study. Data was collected by use of interviews using a question guide for the strategic managers. Managers and some patients filled self-administered questionnaires. Documents were also analysed to complement the data obtained from the questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and Excel. Qualitative data was analysed by capturing information which addressed the research questions and the objectives of the study. The study indicate that drug supplies management in MTRH faces various challenges. These include; slow drugs procurement process, difficulties related with manual documentation of drugs, lack of a hospital policy on drugs donations, inaccurate drug estimation requirements and inadequate staff among others. Responses from patients indicate that there is need for improvement in availability and reduction of cost of drugs. The study concluded that managers were of the opinion that the drugs supplies management process in MTRH can be improved. The entire system can still be co- ordinated more coherently. By so doing, it will become more effective and efficient, thereby contributing in improving the quality of patient care in the Hospital. The study recommends that; Procurement procedures be improved to hasten the acquisition of drugs upon request. The study recommends that the hospital develops and adopts a policy on drugs donation. The study also recommends that an integrated drug management system be put on place.