Supply Chain Management of the Pharmaceutical Industry for Quality Health Care Delivery: Consumer Perception of Ernest Chemists Limited as a Pharmaceutical Service Provider in Ghana

Abstract

The disturbing emergence of substandard and fake drugs in Ghana is largely due to inadequate supervision of the distribution process and non-compliance with quality standards in the delivery processes of the pharmaceutical industry. This development affects the country’s efforts to accelerate quality health care delivery. Improving pharmaceutical access is one of the core challenges facing health care delivery in Ghana. In this study, the researchers examine the supply chain of Ernest Chemists Limited and assess consumer perception of the degree of availability and affordability of efficacious pharmaceutical products in promoting quality health care delivery. They also analyse the challenges and constraints that affect the distribution process and evaluate supply chain management best practices for effective and efficient distribution. A descriptive qualitative and quantitative research was used as the design for the study. It involved the collection of data using questionnaire to solicit the views of management of Ernest Chemist Limited and consumers of their products. The study concluded that Ernest Chemists Limited has an effective supply chain management system that provides efficacious medicines that are available to all levels of income earners in Ghana. The study recommends that, Government of Ghana should encourage the development of local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity by reducing or wavering off some of the taxes on pharmaceutical active ingredients (APIs).

Key words: Supply chain management, pharmaceutical industry and health care delivery.