Investigating the Risks in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain in Ghana

Abstract

The study was to investigate the risks in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain in Ghana. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for the data collection and the responses were analysed using SPSS. Sample size of Eighty (80) was used for the analysis. Data analysis was descriptive. The study revealed that Drug Shortages, Pilfering and Expiration of Drugs are the risks associated with the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain. The major reasons given for the occurrence of the risks include difficulty in obtaining raw materials, unethical attitude of pharmacists and chemical sellers, low income of consumers, poor inventory management and reverse logistics not being encouraged in the pharmaceutical industry in Ghana. The paper recommends the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in the management of inventory and also the strengthening of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain. These measures would go a long way to reduce if not completely eliminated the exposure of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain to risks.