Key factors affecting the retention of production pharmacists in pharmaceutical manufacturing in South Africa
- Authors: Mvunyiswa, Mzwandile
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry , Pharmacists -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58013 , vital:58498
- Description: he goal of the study was to look at elements that influenced the retention of production pharmacists in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The South African pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is in charge of producing a wide range of pharmaceutical products for both the domestic and foreign markets. Production pharmacists are leaving the industry to pursue employment outside of the production environment, which is a problem for the industry. The goal of the study was to discover crucial factors that would help pharmacists in South Africa stay in the pharmaceutical product manufacturing industry. After doing a literature review to identify the determinants of retention, a hypothesis model was created to see if the identified factors had a positive link with pharmacist retention. The information was gathered via a survey with a questionnaire that was prepared and distributed to 81 people. Factor analysis confirmed the factors measured in the study, with Employee Reward and Recognition emerging as two separate factors. The study revealed that the factor of Employee Reward and Recognition (Factor A), which means receiving rewards and recognition was done in a fair and competitive manner did not relate to Employee Reward and Recognition as an actual Retention Factor (Factor B), or with Leadership, Training, Employee Career Development, Work-Life Balance or Job Security. In general, positive responses were received for Employee Reward and Recognition A (receiving rewards and recognition, and this was done in a fair and competitive manner), and neutral responses were received for Leadership, Work-Life Balance and Job Security and negative responses were recorded for Employee Career Development, Training and Employee Rewards and Recognition B (effectiveness of reward system to retain pharmaceutical talent). Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies must devise strategies to address the factors that elicited negative and neutral responses from the respondents. If the factors are not addressed, important talent, such as pharmacists, may be lost. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mvunyiswa, Mzwandile
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry , Pharmacists -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58013 , vital:58498
- Description: he goal of the study was to look at elements that influenced the retention of production pharmacists in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The South African pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is in charge of producing a wide range of pharmaceutical products for both the domestic and foreign markets. Production pharmacists are leaving the industry to pursue employment outside of the production environment, which is a problem for the industry. The goal of the study was to discover crucial factors that would help pharmacists in South Africa stay in the pharmaceutical product manufacturing industry. After doing a literature review to identify the determinants of retention, a hypothesis model was created to see if the identified factors had a positive link with pharmacist retention. The information was gathered via a survey with a questionnaire that was prepared and distributed to 81 people. Factor analysis confirmed the factors measured in the study, with Employee Reward and Recognition emerging as two separate factors. The study revealed that the factor of Employee Reward and Recognition (Factor A), which means receiving rewards and recognition was done in a fair and competitive manner did not relate to Employee Reward and Recognition as an actual Retention Factor (Factor B), or with Leadership, Training, Employee Career Development, Work-Life Balance or Job Security. In general, positive responses were received for Employee Reward and Recognition A (receiving rewards and recognition, and this was done in a fair and competitive manner), and neutral responses were received for Leadership, Work-Life Balance and Job Security and negative responses were recorded for Employee Career Development, Training and Employee Rewards and Recognition B (effectiveness of reward system to retain pharmaceutical talent). Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies must devise strategies to address the factors that elicited negative and neutral responses from the respondents. If the factors are not addressed, important talent, such as pharmacists, may be lost. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Impact of a manufacturing execution system on production lead-times at a pharmaceutical company
- Authors: Kemp, Lizet
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry , Computer integrated manufacturing systems
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51253 , vital:43238
- Description: Despite the development in computerised systems and in planning and manufacturing programmes since 1950, Pharma-X* still record their manufacturing processes manually, using a paper batch record, (Manufacturing Batch Records (MBR) or Batch Manufacturing Records (MBR)) and equipment logbooks. There can be up to five logbooks and an equipment control label for each type of equipment used at each process step, which must be completed manually before manufacturing can commence. This paper-based system is a laborious practice, as excessive time is spent completing manual entries into the MBRs and logbooks. Lean thinking, a popular manufacturing improvement philosophy, would describe any such activity as non-value adding and therefore waste (Melton, 2005). Pharma-X started implementing a manufacturing execution system (MES) in June 2018 to automate the manual entries of the manufacturing process. Once the MES is completely implemented, it will allow pharmacists the opportunity to review the manufacturing batch in real-time and to conduct investigations when an error occurs. MES will also allow the operators to complete logbooks with a single scan of equipment, as well as decrease manual entries into the MBR. This study was a quantitative research study comparing data of the past state (Pharma-X pre-MES) with data of a current state (Pharma-X post-MES implementation) to assess the impact of the implementation of a manufacturing execution system and lean manufacturing on a pharmaceutical company. A meaningful reduction in manufacturing lead time and reduction in time wastage were proven but further study and data documentation are recommended. , Thesis (M Pharm) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Kemp, Lizet
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry , Computer integrated manufacturing systems
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51253 , vital:43238
- Description: Despite the development in computerised systems and in planning and manufacturing programmes since 1950, Pharma-X* still record their manufacturing processes manually, using a paper batch record, (Manufacturing Batch Records (MBR) or Batch Manufacturing Records (MBR)) and equipment logbooks. There can be up to five logbooks and an equipment control label for each type of equipment used at each process step, which must be completed manually before manufacturing can commence. This paper-based system is a laborious practice, as excessive time is spent completing manual entries into the MBRs and logbooks. Lean thinking, a popular manufacturing improvement philosophy, would describe any such activity as non-value adding and therefore waste (Melton, 2005). Pharma-X started implementing a manufacturing execution system (MES) in June 2018 to automate the manual entries of the manufacturing process. Once the MES is completely implemented, it will allow pharmacists the opportunity to review the manufacturing batch in real-time and to conduct investigations when an error occurs. MES will also allow the operators to complete logbooks with a single scan of equipment, as well as decrease manual entries into the MBR. This study was a quantitative research study comparing data of the past state (Pharma-X pre-MES) with data of a current state (Pharma-X post-MES implementation) to assess the impact of the implementation of a manufacturing execution system and lean manufacturing on a pharmaceutical company. A meaningful reduction in manufacturing lead time and reduction in time wastage were proven but further study and data documentation are recommended. , Thesis (M Pharm) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Compliance with good distribution practice guidelines for cold chain products among pharmaceutical wholesalers in South Africa
- Authors: Masebe, Zandisile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46390 , vital:39581
- Description: Background: The South African pharmaceutical cold chain distribution industry is highly regulated. Cold chain pharmaceutical products require storage in a cold room, in a temperature-controlled environment between (2°C-8°C) and the cold chain must be maintained at all times throughout the distribution process. The incorrect handling, storage, transport and distribution of cold chain products may reduce the potency and therapeutic effectiveness of the product which in turn may result in treatment failure. The research was aimed at determining the level of compliance to current Good Distribution Practice guidelines for cold chain products among pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors in South Africa. Methodology: The study made use of quantitative research techniques. A purpose designed online questionnaire was used as a data collection tool from the study participants. The judgmental sampling technique was used in this study as it was found to be the most appropriate method for the research question. Phase one of the study was to conduct a pilot study at two Port Elizabeth pharmaceutical wholesalers. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel®, chi-square test for goodness of fit and content analysis. The data was further analysed using a descriptive and inferential statistics approach to determine the level of compliance to regulatory guidelines for cold chain products.Results:The results obtained from the empirical study revealed that less than 50% of the study respondents indicated compliance to the factors listed in the regulatory guidelines for cold chain products distribution.These factors include cold chain monitoring, alternative power sources, validation of cold chain boxes and route transport validation.Conclusion:The wholesale pharmaceutical industry is experiencing challenges to comply with factors necessary to ensure compliance with GDP guidelines for cold chain products. Through the study it was proven that there is evidence of commitment by the industry to implement the GWP and GPP amendment guidelines, despite less than 50% of the respondents reporting compliance to the guidelines. Recommendations were provided to improve the level of compliance to guidelines for cold chain products by pharmaceutical wholesalers in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Masebe, Zandisile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46390 , vital:39581
- Description: Background: The South African pharmaceutical cold chain distribution industry is highly regulated. Cold chain pharmaceutical products require storage in a cold room, in a temperature-controlled environment between (2°C-8°C) and the cold chain must be maintained at all times throughout the distribution process. The incorrect handling, storage, transport and distribution of cold chain products may reduce the potency and therapeutic effectiveness of the product which in turn may result in treatment failure. The research was aimed at determining the level of compliance to current Good Distribution Practice guidelines for cold chain products among pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors in South Africa. Methodology: The study made use of quantitative research techniques. A purpose designed online questionnaire was used as a data collection tool from the study participants. The judgmental sampling technique was used in this study as it was found to be the most appropriate method for the research question. Phase one of the study was to conduct a pilot study at two Port Elizabeth pharmaceutical wholesalers. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel®, chi-square test for goodness of fit and content analysis. The data was further analysed using a descriptive and inferential statistics approach to determine the level of compliance to regulatory guidelines for cold chain products.Results:The results obtained from the empirical study revealed that less than 50% of the study respondents indicated compliance to the factors listed in the regulatory guidelines for cold chain products distribution.These factors include cold chain monitoring, alternative power sources, validation of cold chain boxes and route transport validation.Conclusion:The wholesale pharmaceutical industry is experiencing challenges to comply with factors necessary to ensure compliance with GDP guidelines for cold chain products. Through the study it was proven that there is evidence of commitment by the industry to implement the GWP and GPP amendment guidelines, despite less than 50% of the respondents reporting compliance to the guidelines. Recommendations were provided to improve the level of compliance to guidelines for cold chain products by pharmaceutical wholesalers in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Evaluation of product x pre and post cpv implementation
- Authors: Killian, Christopher Grant
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46447 , vital:39577
- Description: Purpose: Stage 3 of the pharmaceutical process validation lifecycle, is called continued process verification (CPV). CPV is the final stage of lifecycle management and is intended to provide ongoing assurance that during routine production that a process remains in a state of control. Since CPV is a relatively new focus area for regulators, many legacy products will not have undergone Stage 3 process validation. Therefore, an opportunity existed to review the impact and challenges of implementing CPV on a legacy product. Methodology: This study employed quantitative analysis to evaluate the impact of CPV on process stability and end product quality for Product X, a legacy product manufactured at a generics manufacturing facility. Initial Stage 3a CPV was used to review historical process data and identify special cause variation. Corrective and preventative actions were taken to address these statistical outliers and the impact of these process changes were evaluated in Stage 3b. Results: CPV implementation appeared to have an effect on process control, stability and capability for Product X. In Stage 3b, an increase in statistical outliers along with significant changes to process mean and standard deviation were seen for the critical process parameters, average mass and hardness. An improvement in process capability for the critical quality attributes, assay and dissolution, was also seen. Conclusion: The largest benefit of CPV implementation, especially for a legacy product, is the process knowledge gained. This provided opportunities for process improvement and ultimately benefited patient safety.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Killian, Christopher Grant
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46447 , vital:39577
- Description: Purpose: Stage 3 of the pharmaceutical process validation lifecycle, is called continued process verification (CPV). CPV is the final stage of lifecycle management and is intended to provide ongoing assurance that during routine production that a process remains in a state of control. Since CPV is a relatively new focus area for regulators, many legacy products will not have undergone Stage 3 process validation. Therefore, an opportunity existed to review the impact and challenges of implementing CPV on a legacy product. Methodology: This study employed quantitative analysis to evaluate the impact of CPV on process stability and end product quality for Product X, a legacy product manufactured at a generics manufacturing facility. Initial Stage 3a CPV was used to review historical process data and identify special cause variation. Corrective and preventative actions were taken to address these statistical outliers and the impact of these process changes were evaluated in Stage 3b. Results: CPV implementation appeared to have an effect on process control, stability and capability for Product X. In Stage 3b, an increase in statistical outliers along with significant changes to process mean and standard deviation were seen for the critical process parameters, average mass and hardness. An improvement in process capability for the critical quality attributes, assay and dissolution, was also seen. Conclusion: The largest benefit of CPV implementation, especially for a legacy product, is the process knowledge gained. This provided opportunities for process improvement and ultimately benefited patient safety.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Technology transfer of antibacterial oral solid dosage form in a pharmaceutical industry
- Authors: Ramloll, Jason
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Clinical pharmacology Pharmacy -- Research , Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47913 , vital:40398
- Description: Technology transfer (TT) looks at the transfer of intellectual property from one manufacturing site to another. If carried out successfully, a TT can increase the leveraging capability of the company acquiring the intellectual property together with its brand strength. This in turn aids in a decreased time to market of the final dosage form produced. The aim of the research was to assess the TT of an antibacterial oral solid dosage form from one manufacturing site to another. An expected change of manufacturing equipment from a single-pot to a multi-phase system took place due to the equipment available at the receiving unit. The assessment done by the researcher was performed in the capacity of an observer. The assessment of the TT was performed by observing the critical stages during the transfer process, namely the development and validation stages. Prior to the start of the development stage, a characterisation of innovator was performed. At this stage, innovator batches received from the Sending Unit (SU) were characterised to allow for a means of comparison. The development stage allows for the determination of the robustness of the formulation to be used whilst the validation stage will look at the reproducibility of the chosen formulation. During the development stage, small scale trials were manufactured with amendments made to the original formulation. The amendments allowed for a formulation more comparable to the innovator product with regards to its dissolution profile. The comparable batch produced at a small scale was then up-scaled to a production scale batch and these were compared to the innovator products. The amendments made were on the amount of granulation fluid and binder as well as the method of addition of the disintegrant. When a large scale batch comparable to that of the innovator product was produced, the validation stage was started. With the aim of showing reproducibility of the Receiving Unit (RU) at producing large scale batches, three batches were produced. These were tested for all critical parameters, namely through the loss on drying, particle size distribution, hardness, disintegration and dissolution tests and, the results of the tests were compared to the specifications set by the SU. They were also compared to each other, enabling statistical determination of any significant difference across the batches through the use of comparative statistical analyses. Comparison of batches, at the development and validation stage, was done using the dissolution potential of the batches. These were performed through the use of statistical analyses. The RU made use of the similarity factor (F2) to compare the dissolution profiles. For the purpose of this research, the 1-Way analysis of variance was also used, which compared to the similarity factor, took in consideration the level of variance of the batches produced. Results and discussion: During the development stage amendments were made to produce a batch comparable to the innovator product. The amendments that led to the production of a comparable batch consisted of an extra 14 % of granulation fluid as well as 50 % of the disintegrant being added intra-granularly with the other 50 % added extra-granularly. The amendments were added on top of the amount suggested by the SU. This formulation was used and three batches produced consecutively. On comparison to the specifications set by the SU, the three batches were seen to be within the specifications. On comparison to each other, the dissolution profiles were seen to be different. Conclusion and recommendation: The development stage producing batches within the specifications set by the SU but also comparable with regards to its dissolution profile, was seen to be successful. The validation stage was seen to be unsuccessful. Even though the results of the critical parameters were within specifications, when compared to each other, the batches were seen to be significantly different. This led to the research looking at the TT as a whole as being unsuccessful. The researcher then determined what stage could be improved and how this could be done. The various stages seen as having associated problems were determined and ways to mitigate those were determined. A guideline in the form of a flow chart was proposed to aid a manufacturing facility undertaking a TT to shorten the period of time to completion as well as increase the chance of success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ramloll, Jason
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Clinical pharmacology Pharmacy -- Research , Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47913 , vital:40398
- Description: Technology transfer (TT) looks at the transfer of intellectual property from one manufacturing site to another. If carried out successfully, a TT can increase the leveraging capability of the company acquiring the intellectual property together with its brand strength. This in turn aids in a decreased time to market of the final dosage form produced. The aim of the research was to assess the TT of an antibacterial oral solid dosage form from one manufacturing site to another. An expected change of manufacturing equipment from a single-pot to a multi-phase system took place due to the equipment available at the receiving unit. The assessment done by the researcher was performed in the capacity of an observer. The assessment of the TT was performed by observing the critical stages during the transfer process, namely the development and validation stages. Prior to the start of the development stage, a characterisation of innovator was performed. At this stage, innovator batches received from the Sending Unit (SU) were characterised to allow for a means of comparison. The development stage allows for the determination of the robustness of the formulation to be used whilst the validation stage will look at the reproducibility of the chosen formulation. During the development stage, small scale trials were manufactured with amendments made to the original formulation. The amendments allowed for a formulation more comparable to the innovator product with regards to its dissolution profile. The comparable batch produced at a small scale was then up-scaled to a production scale batch and these were compared to the innovator products. The amendments made were on the amount of granulation fluid and binder as well as the method of addition of the disintegrant. When a large scale batch comparable to that of the innovator product was produced, the validation stage was started. With the aim of showing reproducibility of the Receiving Unit (RU) at producing large scale batches, three batches were produced. These were tested for all critical parameters, namely through the loss on drying, particle size distribution, hardness, disintegration and dissolution tests and, the results of the tests were compared to the specifications set by the SU. They were also compared to each other, enabling statistical determination of any significant difference across the batches through the use of comparative statistical analyses. Comparison of batches, at the development and validation stage, was done using the dissolution potential of the batches. These were performed through the use of statistical analyses. The RU made use of the similarity factor (F2) to compare the dissolution profiles. For the purpose of this research, the 1-Way analysis of variance was also used, which compared to the similarity factor, took in consideration the level of variance of the batches produced. Results and discussion: During the development stage amendments were made to produce a batch comparable to the innovator product. The amendments that led to the production of a comparable batch consisted of an extra 14 % of granulation fluid as well as 50 % of the disintegrant being added intra-granularly with the other 50 % added extra-granularly. The amendments were added on top of the amount suggested by the SU. This formulation was used and three batches produced consecutively. On comparison to the specifications set by the SU, the three batches were seen to be within the specifications. On comparison to each other, the dissolution profiles were seen to be different. Conclusion and recommendation: The development stage producing batches within the specifications set by the SU but also comparable with regards to its dissolution profile, was seen to be successful. The validation stage was seen to be unsuccessful. Even though the results of the critical parameters were within specifications, when compared to each other, the batches were seen to be significantly different. This led to the research looking at the TT as a whole as being unsuccessful. The researcher then determined what stage could be improved and how this could be done. The various stages seen as having associated problems were determined and ways to mitigate those were determined. A guideline in the form of a flow chart was proposed to aid a manufacturing facility undertaking a TT to shorten the period of time to completion as well as increase the chance of success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Willingness to pay for pharmacist-provided services directed towards reducing risks of medication-related problems
- Authors: Mushunje, Irvine Tawanda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry , Pharmacy -- Practice -- Finance , Pharmacist and patient , Prescription pricing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10133 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008053 , Pharmaceutical industry , Pharmacy -- Practice -- Finance , Pharmacist and patient , Prescription pricing
- Description: Pharmacists as members of health care teams, have a central role to play with respect to medication. The pharmaceutical care and cognitive services which pharmacists are able to provide can help prevent, ameliorate or correct medication-related problems. There are however many barriers to the provision of these services and one of the barriers commonly cited by pharmacists is the lack of remuneration for their expert services. The aim of this study is to ascertain if patients in South Africa are willing to pay for pharmacist-provided services which may reduce medication related problems, and thereby determine the perceived value of the pharmacist-provided services, by patients. The study will also seek to determine factors that influence willingness to pay (WTP), including financial status, gender, race, age and level of education. In addition the perceived value of the pharmacist‘s role in patient care, by third party payers (SA Medical Aid providers) and their WTP for pharmacist-provided services (such as DSM) on behalf of patients through their monthly premiums will also be investigated. The study was conducted as a two-phase process: the first phase focused on the opinions of patients and the second phase on the medical aid companies. In phase-1 a convenience sample of 500 patients was recruited by fifty community pharmacies distributed throughout the nine South African provinces. Data collection, consisting of telephonic administration of the questionnaires, was conducted and the survey responses were captured on a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet. All the captured information was analyzed using descriptive statistics, box and whisker plots, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis. In phase-2, medical aid schemes that are registered with the Council of Medical Schemes (CMSs) of South Africa were included in this research. A fifteen point questionnaire was completed electronically via e-mail by willing medical aid participants. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics only. Only 233 or 88.6 percent, of the 263 participating respondents, were willing to pay at least one rand towards pharmacist-provided services. On average respondents were willing to pay R126.76 as out-of-pocket expenses. Respondents‘ WTP increased as the risk associated with medication-related problems was reduced due to pharmaceutical care intervention. Of the 263 respondents who took part in this research, fifty percent were willing to pay at least R100 for a risk reduction of 30 percent, R120 for a 60 percent reduction and approximately R150 for a greater than 90 percent risk reduction. It was also found that the respondents‘ willingness to pay was influenced by their age, earnings, racial grouping, employment status, medical aid status and their level of satisfaction with pharmacist-provided care services. Of the thirty-one open medical aid schemes only eight (25.8 percent) participated in the study. Findings indicate that all the participating medical aid respondents were unwilling to pay for pharmacist-provided care services, although they perceived pharmacists as very influential healthcare providers and as having a significant role to play in reducing medication-related problems. In conclusion it was found that majority of participants were willing to pay for pharmacist-provided services directed towards reducing risks associated with medication-related problems. Until pharmacists are able to prove pharmaceutical care‘s utility and cost-effectiveness to third-party payers, pharmacists must look to the patient for reimbursement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mushunje, Irvine Tawanda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry , Pharmacy -- Practice -- Finance , Pharmacist and patient , Prescription pricing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10133 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008053 , Pharmaceutical industry , Pharmacy -- Practice -- Finance , Pharmacist and patient , Prescription pricing
- Description: Pharmacists as members of health care teams, have a central role to play with respect to medication. The pharmaceutical care and cognitive services which pharmacists are able to provide can help prevent, ameliorate or correct medication-related problems. There are however many barriers to the provision of these services and one of the barriers commonly cited by pharmacists is the lack of remuneration for their expert services. The aim of this study is to ascertain if patients in South Africa are willing to pay for pharmacist-provided services which may reduce medication related problems, and thereby determine the perceived value of the pharmacist-provided services, by patients. The study will also seek to determine factors that influence willingness to pay (WTP), including financial status, gender, race, age and level of education. In addition the perceived value of the pharmacist‘s role in patient care, by third party payers (SA Medical Aid providers) and their WTP for pharmacist-provided services (such as DSM) on behalf of patients through their monthly premiums will also be investigated. The study was conducted as a two-phase process: the first phase focused on the opinions of patients and the second phase on the medical aid companies. In phase-1 a convenience sample of 500 patients was recruited by fifty community pharmacies distributed throughout the nine South African provinces. Data collection, consisting of telephonic administration of the questionnaires, was conducted and the survey responses were captured on a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet. All the captured information was analyzed using descriptive statistics, box and whisker plots, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis. In phase-2, medical aid schemes that are registered with the Council of Medical Schemes (CMSs) of South Africa were included in this research. A fifteen point questionnaire was completed electronically via e-mail by willing medical aid participants. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics only. Only 233 or 88.6 percent, of the 263 participating respondents, were willing to pay at least one rand towards pharmacist-provided services. On average respondents were willing to pay R126.76 as out-of-pocket expenses. Respondents‘ WTP increased as the risk associated with medication-related problems was reduced due to pharmaceutical care intervention. Of the 263 respondents who took part in this research, fifty percent were willing to pay at least R100 for a risk reduction of 30 percent, R120 for a 60 percent reduction and approximately R150 for a greater than 90 percent risk reduction. It was also found that the respondents‘ willingness to pay was influenced by their age, earnings, racial grouping, employment status, medical aid status and their level of satisfaction with pharmacist-provided care services. Of the thirty-one open medical aid schemes only eight (25.8 percent) participated in the study. Findings indicate that all the participating medical aid respondents were unwilling to pay for pharmacist-provided care services, although they perceived pharmacists as very influential healthcare providers and as having a significant role to play in reducing medication-related problems. In conclusion it was found that majority of participants were willing to pay for pharmacist-provided services directed towards reducing risks associated with medication-related problems. Until pharmacists are able to prove pharmaceutical care‘s utility and cost-effectiveness to third-party payers, pharmacists must look to the patient for reimbursement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comparison of two granulation processes with the view to reduce manufacturing cost
- Authors: Maclean, Aldritt Allister
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Drugs -- Granulation , Tablets (Medicine) , Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:10980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/210 , Drugs -- Granulation , Tablets (Medicine) , Pharmaceutical industry
- Description: Aspen Pharmacare, one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in South Africa has embarked on a programme of improving the production processes currently employed at their Port Elizabeth site. With the introduction of new technology at the site and the move towards globalization, it became imperative that Aspen remain competitive in the market. The product of interest in this research, Degoran Plus tablets, is one of the company’s leading brand sellers. Upon investigation, it became apparent that this product created opportunity for process improvement using the new technology. The manufacture of Degoran Plus entails granulation, compression and coating of the product. Most opportunity for improvement was possible in the granulation stage because of the laborious nature of the present process. Degoran Plus tablets had a history of analytical failures, especially with regard to the dissolution rate of the final product, as well as other quality related issues. The product was not considered to be a “through-runner”, which resulted in bad production output, due to continual repeats of not only analysis but also reworks in production. A strategic decision was taken to manufacture Degoran Plus using the Collette Gral granulator as the equipment offered superior mixing capability when compared to the Bear planetary granulator. It was assumed that the granulation process would result in more uniform distribution of the actives. Upon producing a better granule, a final product of superior quality would be attained. The validation protocol stipulates that three samples be taken and tested from the powder mix. Nine samples taken from granulated bulk are treated in the same manner. The validation protocol further stipulates that the first three batches manufactured utilise the new process, and tested according to the protocol. The results obtained from the analysis are evaluated statistically and a conclusion and recommendation were derived based on the evaluation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Maclean, Aldritt Allister
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Drugs -- Granulation , Tablets (Medicine) , Pharmaceutical industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:10980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/210 , Drugs -- Granulation , Tablets (Medicine) , Pharmaceutical industry
- Description: Aspen Pharmacare, one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in South Africa has embarked on a programme of improving the production processes currently employed at their Port Elizabeth site. With the introduction of new technology at the site and the move towards globalization, it became imperative that Aspen remain competitive in the market. The product of interest in this research, Degoran Plus tablets, is one of the company’s leading brand sellers. Upon investigation, it became apparent that this product created opportunity for process improvement using the new technology. The manufacture of Degoran Plus entails granulation, compression and coating of the product. Most opportunity for improvement was possible in the granulation stage because of the laborious nature of the present process. Degoran Plus tablets had a history of analytical failures, especially with regard to the dissolution rate of the final product, as well as other quality related issues. The product was not considered to be a “through-runner”, which resulted in bad production output, due to continual repeats of not only analysis but also reworks in production. A strategic decision was taken to manufacture Degoran Plus using the Collette Gral granulator as the equipment offered superior mixing capability when compared to the Bear planetary granulator. It was assumed that the granulation process would result in more uniform distribution of the actives. Upon producing a better granule, a final product of superior quality would be attained. The validation protocol stipulates that three samples be taken and tested from the powder mix. Nine samples taken from granulated bulk are treated in the same manner. The validation protocol further stipulates that the first three batches manufactured utilise the new process, and tested according to the protocol. The results obtained from the analysis are evaluated statistically and a conclusion and recommendation were derived based on the evaluation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
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