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Journal Article Scoping Review Epublish 46 citations

PubMed: 34986820 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12361-9

Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review.

BMC Public Health 22(1):11

Authors: Victory O Olutuase, Chinwe J Iwu-Jaja, Cynthia P Akuoko, Emmanuel O Adewuyi, Vishnu Khanal

Affiliations

  • Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
  • Department of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
  • Department of Nursing, Christian Service University College, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group, Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, 6027, Australia.
  • Nepal Development Society, Butwal, Nepal.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Medicines and vaccines supply chains represent critical systems for realising one of the major targets of the United Nations' third Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines, for all. However, evidence suggests the system is confronted with several challenges in many low-medium income countries, including Nigeria. This scoping review aims to summarize the available evidence on the challenges of medicines and vaccines supply chain system in Nigeria.

RESULTS

We searched relevant databases including Scopus and Web of Science for studies published between January 2005 and August 2020 on the challenges associated with medicines and vaccines supply chain systems in Nigeria. Our findings implicate several factors including difficulty with medicines or vaccines selection, procurement, distribution, and inventory management. Others included poor storage infrastructure, financial constraints, insecurity, transportation challenges, inadequate human resources, weak, or poorly implemented policies. These challenges mostly resulted in stock-outs of essential medicines which notably got worsened during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSION

Our study is a wake-up call on the need to prioritise the critical sector of the supply chain systems for medicines and vaccines in Nigeria. Effective implementation of existing policies, improved security, strengthening of the health system through adequate budgetary allocations, and provision of infrastructure including regular availability of electricity are keys to surmounting the challenges and improving access to medicines or vaccines in Nigeria.

MeSH

Vaccines, Covid-19

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