Perceived Benefits and Barriers of Electronic Logistics Management Information System in Managing Medicine Expiries...

Globally, medicine management initially relied on paper-based logistics information systems, which were associated with delayed reporting, poor data quality, weak forecasting, and limited supply chain visibility, resulting in medicine stockouts and expiries. Many countries transitioned to electronic systems to address these challenges. Rwanda introduced an electronic logistics management information system in 2014; however, medicine stockouts and expiries have persisted. This study explored users' perceptions of the benefits and barriers of the electronic logistics management information system in managing medicine stockouts and expiries at Rwanda Medical Supply.

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at the central and Kigali regional warehouses of Rwanda Medical Supply. Twenty-two staff involved in inventory management, order processing, data management, and quantification were purposively selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion, and data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Participants reported improved stock monitoring, data visibility, and order management, supporting the reduction of stockouts and expiries as benefits of using electronic logistic information system. However, inaccurate data, limited interoperability, inadequate training, and absence of alerts reduced system effectiveness.

The electronic system improved stock visibility and supported timely ordering, but limited user skills and poor interoperability constrained accurate forecasting and decision-making, contributing to medicine expiries and supply interruptions.