Inventory Management Practices and the Effectiveness of the Supply Chain of Essential Medicines in the Public Sector. Evidence from Six Selected Public Hospitals in Uganda

John Charles Okiria, Richard Mwirumubi, K. A. Mpaata

Abstract: This study assessed the relationship between the Inventory management practices and the effectiveness of the downward supply chain of essential medicines in the selected 6 public hospitals in Uganda. A cross sectional descriptive and analytical survey was done with both qualitative and quantitative data collected. Two hospitals were regional referral and the four were general hospitals by level of care. Overall the study found a significant relationship between the level of inventory practices in the hospitals and the effectiveness of the downward supply chain. The study therefore recommends improvement on the ordering practices to cater for lead time and the buffer stock, use of adjusted consumption method, improve on the monitoring, procurement planning and adherence to the essential medicines list of Uganda when ordering

Keywords: Inventory, supply chain, stores management, medicines, effectiveness