Improving the pharmaceutical supply chain: assessing the reality of e-quality through e-commerce application in hospital pharmacy
Crawford, H.
Crawford, H.
Publication Date
2005
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Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to examine the role of e-commerce in hospital pharmacy in the
procurement of pharmaceuticals and determine how this has improved the internal pharmaceutical
supply chain. Whilst e-commerce is in its infancy in this area it is still considered to be an important
facet of supply chain management. E-trading within NHS pharmacies is conducted via electronic data
interchange (EDI) offering proven benefits and ensuring the efficient and effective transmission of data
between remote parties.
Design/methodology/approach – The data were collected via a case-study in an NHS trust
pharmacy supported and by questionnaires distributed to NHS and community pharmacies in the
north-west of England.
Findings – The findings support the view that there are benefits to be gained from introducing EDI
into a purchasing department as the next logical step towards a total e-commerce solution
(internet-based) and instigating quality improvements. It also proposes that the implementation and
use of e-commerce in hospital pharmacies can be aligned with progress made in small- to
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and questions why, if such benefits can be realised, the use of
e-commerce systems are not more widespread.
Research limitations/implications – The implications of this research is that it offers a
“snap-shot” of progress made-to-date of e-commerce in NHS Pharmacy, which can provide guidance
for mangers and healthcare professionals managing their e-commerce/quality improvement agenda.
The research conducted was restricted to a specific regional area of the NHS and could be applied to a
larger national sample group. Future research within this field should also consider the cost of not
introducing e-commerce in pursuing quality improvement.
Originality/value – This discussion offers an insight into how a pharmacy approached EDI, and
this is further supported by recent research conducted into examining the pharmacy systems in
operation in the north-west of England and accompanying EDI systems and an analysis of EDI uptake
and use in a sample of pharmacies in the same region, the latter being supported by anecdotal evidence
of pros and cons to using EDI and potential barriers to its introduction.
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Citation
Breen L and Crawford H (2005) Improving the pharmaceutical supply chain: assessing the reality of e-quality through e-commerce application in hospital pharmacy. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management. 22(6): 572-590.
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