A Study on Reverse Logistics for Medicines Supply in Hospital Pharmacies

摘要

The main goal of this study is the Reverse Logistics (RL) process, which has been the subject of several works over the years, but RL for hospital pharmacies and medicines supply in Portugal still is in a very early stage. RL is typically addressing the perspective of organizations that become active on end-of-use products, by accepting, discarding or recovering them due to economic, legal and social reasons. A survey using descriptive research methods is outlined, to consult on the implementation of RL practices for medicines supply in Portuguese hospital pharmacies, and on the current mechanisms influencing RL activities, such as socioeconomic, clinico-pharmacologic needs, and legislative factors. The expected results will indicate the relevance given by the health sector and hospital pharmacies to economic, social and legal reasons for the implementation of RL processes for medicines supply. Namely, the impact and the significance for the clinico-pharmacological needs, the financial and economic motives, the Quality of Life (QoL), the patient risks, and other specific items within the healthcare system.