Abstract:
Procurement of pharmaceutical drugs plays a crucial role
in management of health. It was observed there was lack
of some drugs in Narok County Referral Hospital (NCRH)
and it caused a strain on the patients The patients have
to buy the prescribed medication from chemists and
pharmacies outside the hospital which is very expensive.
The availability of drugs is crucial in the functioning of any
hospital. For there to be continuity of flow of drugs, their
procurement procedure is essential and objectives should
be considered in the procurement of pharmaceutical drugs
drugs. The objective of this study was to determine the
factors Ăffecting the procurement of pharmaceutical
drugs in Narok County Referral Hospital.the descriptive cross sectional
study was carried out at NCRH. Key personnel
strategically positioned to integrate with the procurement
process of pharmacetical drugs were included in the
study. Data was collected using semi-structured
interviews and later transcribed to notes. Themes were
deductively analysed before being presented in prose. The
study revealed that the procurement procedures in NCRH
followed the recommended guidelines. Major challenges
included bureaucracy, poor quanitification inadequate
transportation and lack of skilled personnel. The
main factors facing the procurement of drugs in NCRH
were inadequate funding resulting in delay in paying the
suppliers and poor quantification The study
recommended that checks and measures should be
included, thorough auditing to avoid misapropriation of
funds and provide accountability and transparency.
Inventory management training by government is needed
to equip the staff with knowledge and skills on use and
management of the various registers and forms for proper
quanitification.