Medicine is an indispensable health resources; it saves life. The study involved the evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management (PSCM) implementation process in the Rural Health Units (RHU). The PSCM entails in obtaining medicines through selection, procurement, storage and use. The ultimate goal of the PSCM is to have sustainable and accessible pharmaceutical products in ensuring the provision of safe, effective and quality medicines to the patients. The research design was qualitative approach through in-depth interview. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were the basis in purposively selecting the 5 participants, coming from different provinces of Davao Region. Thematic analysis was used in merging the strengths and weaknesses into essential themes. Results revealed the identified strengths as categorized into five themes generated and these included all out involvement of the local government unit in the medicine management, compliant to government mandate: Philippine National Formulary (PNF) use, transparency in receiving medicines, follows First Expiry, First Out Policy (FEFO), and proper drug dispensing. On the other hand, the distinguished weaknesses were generated into five themes and these included constraints of resources, availability of non PNF medicines, stock outs of medicines, expired medicine due to unwanted stocks, and non- existence of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for drug use. Out of the weaknesses, the strategic plan was formulated.
Philippine E-Journals
