Abstract:

Background: It is important that essential drugs actually reach patients whenever they are in need of them but the problem of shortages of medicines in one of most persistent problems in the delivery of health services.

Objectives: To assess factors contributing to drug shortages in primary health facilities in Ilemela district, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methodology: The study was a retrospective cross sectional study which was conducted in primary health facilities in Ilemela district of Mwanza. A list of Ten (10) selected tracer medicine items was used to determine availability of medicines and medical devices in primary health facility. Medicine availability was assessed by physical information and records comparison of “tracer drug items”. Factors contributing to shortages and potential interventions were assessed using semi-structured questionnaires administered to the District pharmacist and In-charge of the facility. To analyze data, software such as Epi info and Ms. Excel were used.

Results: A total of 15 primary public health facilities in Ilemela district were studied. All 15 facilities are supplied by medical store department (MSD). On average the top five items which were in shortage included Doxycycline caps (63.65%), ORS (61.90%), Metronidazole suspension (61.21%), Benzyl Penicillin 5MU (55.62%) and Ciprofloxacin tablets.

Conclusion: Shortages of medicines could be observed in all health facilities that were visited, although the degree of shortages varied. Inability of facilities in charges to properly order, and the Medical store department burden were seen ad major contributing factors to medicines shortages.