Assessment of compliance to good storage practices (GSP) in Central Medical stores in Rwanda

Abstract

Good storage practices are part of quality management system that ensures the quality of pharmaceutical products through monitoring of activities related to storage processes. It is a set of guidelines for which the main of objective is to ensure the traceability of product from manufacturer to the consumer. Poor Warehouse management system, physical infrastructure, insufficient human resources andare the main challenges to the pharmaceutical warehouse success. The objective of this study was Assessment of compliance on Good Storage Practices in Central Medical Stores for quality and safety of product and staff. Four specific objectives were considered:  Inspect the availability of appropriate storage premises and facilities in the Central Medical Stores and their efficient use.  Inspect the availability of guidelines or standard Operating procedures for warehouse operations and activities  Inspect the availability of safety measures and facilities for warehouse operations  Evaluation of the knowledge (capacity building program) of the staff in terms of Good Storage Practices in Pharmaceutical store;  Propose preventive and corrective actions for inadequacy found It was a qualitative descriptive study considering both retrospective and prospective aspect. The data collection tools were on one side a warehouse inspection checklist for inspection of premises, facilities, guidelines or procedures, warehouse safety and warehouse performance measurement. On the other side a questionnaire for staff knowledge evaluation. The findings have shown inadequacy in premises and facilities especially in two storage areas, Kacyiru Old warehouse (KOW) and Free Trade Zone warehouse (FW). We have found also untrained staff and lack of procedures for warehouse activities.