Tracer Pharmaceuticals Availability and Distribution Trends Prior to and During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has had an unprecedented impact on the health products delivery system. To maintain routine health services, tracer pharmaceuticals (TPs) should always be available and accessible in healthcare institutions. Thus, this study aimed to explore the influence of the Covid-19 on TPs availability and distribution trends in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based comparative study was undertaken on 25 TPs in the pharmaceutical supply agency. From the agency’s logistical data, we collated the amount of TPs ordered, received, and distributed, as well as the stock status, by using an observation checklist. The collated data were recorded in Microsoft Excel and transferred to SPSS for analysis. A frequency and percentage analysis were performed to evaluate the fill rate, product availability, and stock-out duration. A dependent t-test was used to compare if there was a significant mean difference in TPs distribution before and after the Covid-19 at a p-value less than 5%.

Results

Before Covid-19, 18 (72%) of the TPs were refilled above 80% of amount ordered. After the pandemic, however, the fill rate dropped to 48%. The availability of TPs during the Covid-19 was 60%. During the six months of Covid-19, the average stock-out duration for all TPs was 34.68 days, with Cimetidine 200mg/mL injectable (line-item fill rate = 0, days out of stock = 180 days) being the most stocked-out item. Tracer pharmaceuticals distribution before Covid-19 (M = 81,317, SD = 139,274) were significantly different after the pandemic (M = 60,212, SD = 94,966) at the 5% significance level (t (24) = 2.289, p = 0.031).

Conclusion

This survey reveals how Covid-19 has influenced service providers’ logistics systems. Following the pandemic, the line fill rate fell below half with a three-fifths availability of products. To effectively manage supply chain disruptions experienced in Covid-19 and beyond, the agency in collaboration with stakeholders should make an effort to enhance end-to-end inventory visibility, establish a resilient logistics system, strengthen domestic manufacturers’ capabilities, and develop contingency plans with supplying partners.

Keywords:

• Covid-19
• tracer pharmaceutical
• availability
• distribution
• pharmaceutical supply agency
• Ethiopia

Abbreviations

ARV, antiretroviral therapy; Covid-19, coronavirus disease 2019; EPSA, Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply agency; FPC, family planning contraceptive; HCFs, healthcare facilities; MCH, maternal and child health; RDF, revolving drug fund; RRF, report and requisition form; TP, tracer pharmaceutical.

Data Sharing Statement

This study includes all pertinent data. Additional information could be obtained from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethical Consideration

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. The ethical review board of Jimma University has approved the study. The authors also received permission and consent from the Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply agency. For this investigation, the authors used anonymised data. The data obtained from the observation were stored securely in a locked file cabinet throughout the study.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the EPSA-Jimma hub, as well as the data collectors, for providing us with necessary data/information, for their kind cooperation, and assistance throughout the data collection process.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.