Medicines inventory management and organizational effectiveness of public health distribution facilities in Uganda:

Abstract

The study presents findings of the effect of medicines inventory management on organizational effectiveness of public health distribution facilities in Uganda; a case of National Medical Stores, Entebbe. The objectives of the study included; To establish the effect of Inventory planning on the organisational effectiveness of public health distribution facilities in Uganda, to examine the effect of Inventory control on the organisational effectiveness of public health distribution facilities in Uganda and to examine the effect of Inventory storage on the organisational effectiveness of public health distribution facilities in Uganda. The study employed a cross sectional-case study research design. A total of 70 staff members at NMS participated in the study. In collecting data, the researcher used both secondary and primary sources. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data collection methods used included questionnaires and interviews. The study findings revealed that inventory planning had a strong positive relationship with organisational effectiveness (r=0.676**) and affects organisational effectiveness at NMS by 44.7%. In addition, inventory control had a strong positive relationship with organisational effectiveness (r=0.746**) and affects organisational effectiveness at NMS by 54.8%. The study further revealed a strong positive relationship between inventory storage and organisational effectiveness (r= 0.807**) and it affects organisational effectiveness at NMS by 64.4%. Basing on study findings, it was concluded that setting stock plan in advance is vital in the planning process to ensure improved organisational effectiveness at NMS. It was further concluded that effective coordination of the distribution of drugs plays a crucial role in promoting organisational effectiveness. Adequate storage facilities play an important role in ensuring that the organisation holds enough stocks at points convenient for different regional distribution. The researcher recommended that NMS should promote participatory decision making in the inventory planning process to include other stakeholders such as management of public health facilities. Government of Uganda through MFEPD should increase budgetary allocations to NMS to enable procurement of adequate drugs for supply whenever required.