Poor performance of medicines logistics and supply chain systems in a developing country context: lessons from Nigeria
Abstract
Access to affordable quality essential medicines in developing countries like Nigeria continues to be a challenge despite interventions by relevant stakeholders. Inadequate management of the medicines supply chain is a major contributing factor. This study aims at identifying indicators for the poor supply chain management (SCM) for medicines in Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative data from logistics companies and pharmacists practicing in Nigeria were obtained and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis respectively. Logistics companies are not adequately equipped and no monitoring is in place to ensure that standards are set and followed. About 84% of logistics companies had no set of standard operating procedures for medicines logistics. About 37% are capable of providing cold chain logistics depending on the duration. There was no form of regulation enforcing standards for medicines logistics. Pharmacists’ views suggest that poor logistics and SCM practices, weak regulation and policy implementation and lack of support for in-country medical logisticians are factors affecting efficient SCM of medicines. Indicators for poor SCM of medicines were identified, hence, the need for establishing measures for improvement. Such measures may include more political will in implementing policies, financing SCM of medicines, building in-country skills and capacity in SCM of medicines, individualizing and segmenting medicines supply chains, and creating a regulatory body for certifying and professionalizing medical logistics companies, logisticians and supply chain managers in Nigeria. These may lead to better access to quality and affordable medicines.
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Despite implemented strategies, the supply chain system in Nigeria remains weak and inefficient.
“Despite these strategies, the supply chain system, in Nigeria, remains weak and inefficient [2].”
From Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
Some studies aimed at identifying the challenges associated with the supply chain systems for medicines or vaccines have been conducted in Nigeria.
“So far, some studies, aimed at identifying the challenges associated with the supply chain systems for medicines or vaccines, have been conducted in Nigeria [2, 3, 7, 9–11].”
From Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
Access to quality essential medicines in developing countries including Nigeria continues to be a challenge.
“access to quality essential medicines in developing countries including Nigeria continues to be a challenge [2, 6].”
From Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
The review identified financial challenges in Nigeria's medicine and vaccine supply chains, including corruption concerning funds meant for medicine supply, poor or inadequate funding, and lack of funds.
“Lack of financial resources, Poor funding for vaccine supply”
From Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
The review identified human resource challenges in Nigeria's medicine supply chain, including lack of support for personnel involved in medicine logistics, inadequate personnel, lack of human resources, corruption, and killing of personnel due to insurgency.
“Challenges experienced by pharmacists with the various aspects of the supply chainLack of support for personnel involved in medicine logistics, inadequate personnel, lack of human resources as well as corruption, killing of personnel due to insurgency”
From Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
The review identified stockouts and related issues in Nigeria's medicine and vaccine supply chains, including stock-outs, substandard medicines, inadequate supply of vaccines, and regular stock-outs of essential medicines due to inefficient inventory management systems, equipment and corruption.
“Stock-outs, substandard medicines, shortage of vaccine stock and vaccine stock-outs, Regular stock-outs of essential medicines due to inefficient inventory management systems, equipment and corruption, Inadequate supply of vaccines”
From Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
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Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review
Olutuase, V. O., Iwu-Jaja, C. J., Akuoko, C. P., Adewuyi, E. O., & Khanal, V. (2022) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12361-9 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Israel, B. (2023) · International Journal of Health Governance · doi:10.1108/ijhg-03-2023-0028 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
- Authors
- Chukwu, O. A., Chukwu, U., & Lemoha, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Nigeria (NG)
- Corresponding author
- Chukwu, Otuto Amarauche
- Venue
- Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2018-10-14
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 289-291
- ISSN
- 1759-8885 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2896995752
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 1.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Pharmaceutical Quality and Counterfeiting
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management Information Systems › Logistics and Transportation Systems
- Keywords
- pharmaceutical logistics, cold chain, standard operating procedures, regulatory oversight, access to essential medicines, pharmacists' perspectives, capacity building, Nigeria
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