The impact of pharmacist shortage on the inventory management of medicines at primary healthcare centres in East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists are the only people authorised to manage the medicines inventory. However, in the case of pharmacist shortage, other personnel may take over this function. This is particularly the case in most primary healthcare centers (puskesmas) in Indonesia. Aim: To compare the outcome of medicine inventory management between pharmacists and non-pharmacists in primary healthcare centres (PHCs). Methods: A survey of 146 puskesmas in East Java was conducted involving 73 pharmacists and 73 non-pharmacist staff. This study was conducted from July to January 2020. Each respondent completed a questionnaire focusing on the inventory aspects of medicine management. Results: Purchasing accuracy is higher for pharmacists (90%) than for non-pharmacists (68%). Pharmacists manage the inventory more efficiently with only 2% of the drugs expired and wasted while non-pharmacist staff wasted 16% of the drugs and 18% of the drugs expired. Conclusion: The role of pharmacists in medicine inventories is vital as they carry out more efficient and accurate medicine management.

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