Abstract:

The supply chain is defined as the planning and management of all logistic processes from the procurement and supply of raw materials to the final consumption of the product, involving the flow of all kinds of goods, services, and information in order to meet the needs of consumers. As a fundamental component of the healthcare sector, pharmaceuticals are directly related to individual health and, due to their non-deferrable nature, timely delivery of the desired quality is crucial. Factors such as transportation, shipment, limited shelf life, special storage conditions, and high inventory risks underscore the significance of the pharmaceutical supply chain, necessitating a unique supply chain structure for pharmaceuticals. This study aims to unveil the strengths and weaknesses of the pharmaceutical supply facilitated through The State Supply Office (DMO) since 2020. Considering the benefits of centralized procurement in terms of public tenders, it can be argued that the procurement of pharmaceuticals through the DMO at hospitals could yield positive contributions. On the other hand, it is evident that there are several aspects of the DMO system in the pharmaceutical supply process at hospitals that require improvement. No research examining pharmaceutical procurement facilitated by the DMO was encountered in the database scans. In this context, it is believed that this study will generate interest in a field that is lacking in the literature and pave the way for new and comprehensive research on the subject.

Keywords: