Abstract
The study would like to assess the impact of procurement processes on availability of medicines and medical supplies in Malawi, a case of Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST). The participants selected for this study were 30 from health centres and hospitals in Malawi and 29 responded to the interview questions. The study used a simple random and purposive sampling technique to come up with participants to the study.
The data collected was analysed using thematic approach to look at trends. The results of the study reveal that the stock level of supply of medicines and medical supplies is not good. The majority of the participants interviewed said that stock level of supply was very low followed by those who said it was moderate. Most of the participants interviewed in this study said that CMST management lacked strategic planning and also poor quantification while some cited political interference and that the medicines and medical supplies had a short expiry date. The participants were further concerned that sometimes CMST recalls products but does not replace and this leads to many patients being returned and to buy medicines and other medical supplies to private pharmacies while some have said that the requested items are not supplied in full.
Again, most of the participants interviewed revealed that lack of medicines and medical supplies meant failing to give medicines to all the patients throughout the year and when products that did not match are returned CMST does not replace and this leads to stock outs. The participants in the study strongly said that there had no alternative of getting medicines and medical supplies while others said would place emergency orders. Moreover, most participants also revealed that good procurement will ensure constant availability of medicines all the time. Some have said that when products are not overstocked expiry is avoided and hence losses are reduced. Again when asked about the advantages of good procurement and inventory management of drugs, other participants revealed that potency of medicine can be maintained through good inventory management.