Author(s)

SARAH M. MOKGATLHA, FRAZER K. KADAMA

Abstract

This paper reports on a study that was founded on Eliyahu Goldratt’s 1979 theory of constraints. The theory is based on the premise that real systems have at least one constraint that affects their performance. The study set out to establish the constraints within the pharmaceutical supply chain to clinics attached to Mafikeng Provincial Hospital (MPH) and to seek ways of minimising them. It investigated the factors that led to pharmaceutical outages in clinics. A descriptive research design was adopted for this purpose. Interviews involving respondents from Mmabatho Medical Stores, MPH, clinics attached to MPH and transporters were conducted to gather data. The findings of the study are displayed in narrative and tables. They reveal that there were constraints experienced at each and every one of the links in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The study concluded that the identified constraints were internal in nature and thus could be minimised to improve on the pharmaceutical supply chain. Measures for improvement in the management of the pharmaceutical supply chain were suggested.

Keywords

clinics, delivery, distribution, medical supplies, outsourcing pharmaceuticals, stock, supply chain management, transporters