title: Supply chain management of health commodities for reducing global disease burden.
abstract: Reducing global disease burden requires improving access to medicines, thus the need for efficient and effective supply chain management for medicines. The Nigerian government came up with new policies on Mega Drug Distribution Centres and National Drug Distribution Guidelines to improve access to quality medicines with pharmacists having a key role to play. However, pharmacists in Nigeria seem not to be aware and adequately equipped to handle the medicines supply chain. This article aimed at assessing the awareness and readiness of Nigerian pharmacists on supply chain management practices for improving access to medicines.
  
  
  
  Pharmacists in Nigeria's Capital were randomly sampled. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered. Descriptive statistics was used in data analysis. P values less than 0.05 were considered to be significant.
  
  
  
  29.3%, 20.7% and 53.7% were not aware of supply chain management, National Drug Distribution Guidelines and Mega Drug Distribution Centres, respectively. 85.46% do not have a copy of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines. 78% were not aware that Mega Drug Distribution Centres are already operational. 35.4% have never been involved in any supply chain management practice. 69.5% often experience stock out of vital and essential medicines, of which 85.2% were in hospitals. 15.9% were successful in managing their facility's supply chains. 84.1% opined that pharmacists in Nigeria are not yet ready to handle the medicines supply chain.
  
  
  
  Findings showed limited awareness and readiness on supply chain management of medicines. This may be due to inadequate supply chain management skills and infrastructure, poor financing, lack of accountability and poor management. Tackling these as well as pharmacists showing more interest in the country's health policies and obtaining necessary postgraduate certifications will lead to improvements. This will improve access to quality medicines and thus help in the fight to reduce disease burden both locally and globally.
authors.affiliation: Health Policy Research and Development, Pharmaceutical Services, National Assembly, Abuja, Nigeria. Electronic address: otutoc@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Otuto Amarauche
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Chukwu
authors.affiliation: Planning Research and Statistics, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Valentine Nnaemeka
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Ezeanochikwa
authors.affiliation: Medical Logistics and Supply Chain, GreenLife Pharmaceuticals, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Benedict Ejikeme
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Eya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D003132:Commerce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D011050:Policy Making; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Health commodities; Medicines; Nigeria; Pharmacists; Supply chain management