Barriers and strategies for pharmaceutical supply chain management in healthcare settings

Abstract

Nowadays, the supply of health products is subject to many constraints, some related to the internal and external environment. The objective of this research was to explore the obstacles encountered by managers in the supply chain and to develop effective strategies to improve the problems faced by managers in the supply chain. Qualitative descriptive research with a phenomenological aim was used to collect the most detailed and in-depth information on the obstacles related to the pharmaceutical supply chain. Our interviews were conducted over a one-month period from August 16 to September 16, 2024 in the Wangata health zone. The respondents were managers involved in the supply chain. 19 semi-directive interviews were conducted after noting the saturation of information among the respondents. The results of our research show that the availability of medicines, financing, inventory management and finally storage locations or warehouses are the real obstacles that the Wangata health zone faces in the pharmaceutical supply chain. It is in this perspective that the study proposed the use of information systems in logistics management, staff training and finally, negotiation based on a partnership with a large supplier as effective strategies to overcome these obstacles. The study evaluated pharmaceutical policies as ineffective due to a low rate of applicability at the level of organizations where medical products are used. The conclusion drawn from this research emphasizes compliance with the standards and pharmaceutical policies of the DRC and the employment of qualified personnel in order to guarantee an interrupted supply of medicines in health facilities.