Title: Implementation of e-procurement for pharmaceuticals: perspectives of the staff of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka

Authors: Prasanna Dinesh Koggalage; K.M.D.R. Dassanayake; P.K.S.S. Kulasuriya

Addresses: Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka ' State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka ' State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka

Abstract: Public procurement is pivotal to governments, not only to deliver public goods or services but also, ensuring value for money. Electronic procurement, through information and communication technology improves the efficiency and transparency of public procurement. The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) of Sri Lanka procures pharmaceuticals for state health sector in Sri Lanka, but its traditional procurement system has inefficiencies, leading to delays affecting patient care services. Hence, introduction of an e-procurement system is important. This cross-sectional study obtained perspectives of the staff of SPC towards implementation of an e-procurement system through a self-administered questionnaire administered to all relevant staff members (60 respondents). It revealed that the majority was dissatisfied with the existing system which is less efficient, costly and less user-friendly. The majority expected that e-procurement will improve efficiency and user-friendliness. Hence, this recommends establishment of an e-procurement system by reforming existing government policies to support efficient procurement of pharmaceuticals.

Keywords: public procurement; e-procurement; electronic procurement; perspectives of staff towards e-procurement; State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka; procurement of pharmaceuticals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2022.119841

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2022 Vol.15 No.1, pp.113 - 131

Received: 21 May 2020
Accepted: 13 Aug 2020
Published online: 22 Dec 2021 *

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