Title: A framework for public drug distribution system in India

Authors: M. Arumugam; N. Balasubramanian; Chandrasekharan Rajendran

Addresses: Broadline Technologies Private Limited, 7, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Chennai – 600 006, India ' MEASI Institute of Management, Peters Road, Chennai – 600 014, India ' Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras, Chennai – 600 036, India

Abstract: The present study aims to develop an instrument to measure various dimensions of the Drug Distribution System (DDS) and its overall effectiveness. The study considers the stakeholders in the field of public health care on matters associated with the procurement and distribution of drugs, such as the introduction of codification in the packaging of drugs and transparent tendering system. Other issues of concern in the study include centralised storage in warehouses, electronic passbook system for distributing drugs, use of pharmacists' handbook, bulk procurement system, quality assurance part of the system, and periodic monitoring of drug availability. Finally, the overall effectiveness of DDS with respect to medical services is studied in the work. Researchers as well as managers could use the instrument to address the issues related to similar systems of drug distribution and management.

Keywords: drug distribution systems; critical factors; effectiveness; DDS outcomes; validity analysis; reliability analysis; regression analysis; public drug distribution; public healthcare; drug procurement; medical services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2012.049701

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2012 Vol.13 No.3, pp.317 - 341

Published online: 10 Dec 2014 *

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