Drug management in Tambon health promoting hospitals: a systematic review

Abstract

Tambon Health Promoting Hospitals (THPHs) are the first level of public health service system.
Before the health service system reform, the THPHs confronted inefficient drug management. Presently, drug
management in THPHs develops and expands responsibility to conform health system reformation in Thailand.
This study aimed to systematically review the drug management in THPHs to know the current situation
of drug management including the efficiency of drug management and patient satisfaction after the reform
of the health service system.
A literature search was conducted in the ThaiLIS and the Health Systems Research Institute databases
during 2004 to 2015. Results revealed the sixteen articles which met the inclusion criteria. The six dimensions
of drug management tasks in THPHs which were used as the criteria consist of drug system management,
medical supply management, inventory management, pharmaceutical care, home care pharmacy services
and rational drug use promotion. It was found that most THPHs performed efficiently for drug management
thus patients satisfied for their services. Moreover, some THPHs performed inefficiently on medical supply
and inventory management. The problems and obstacles also revealed inadequacy of the staff and budget.
Therefore, government should focus on proper resource allocation and provide crucial supports to enhance
efficiency and quality of treatment to the patients.