Assessment of Drug Storage and Inventory Management Practices at Government Secondary Health Facilities in Delta State

Proper drug storage and inventory management are foundational to maintaining pharmaceutical product quality and ensuring adequate medicine availability in public health facilities. In Delta State, South South Nigeria, secondary health facilities serve a large population across the Niger Delta region, yet systematic evaluation of storage and inventory practices at this level of care is scarce. This study assessed drug storage conditions and inventory management practices at twenty-five government secondary health facilities across Delta North, Delta Central, and Delta South senatorial districts. A structured observational checklist and key informant interviews with pharmacy and facility staff were used as data collection tools. Storage conditions were evaluated for temperature control, light exposure, humidity management, and segregation of expired and near-expiry products. Inventory management was assessed for use of stock cards, first-expiry-first-out application, and accuracy of physical stock versus recorded stock. Only 36% of facilities maintained functional temperature monitoring equipment. Expired medicines were stored alongside active stock in 56% of facilities. FEFO principles were correctly applied in only 28% of assessed stores. Stock card accuracy was below 80% in 60% of facilities. Delta South senatorial district showed the highest compliance rates, likely attributable to better-funded facilities in the oil-producing corridor. These findings indicate substantial weaknesses in drug storage and inventory management across Delta State secondary facilities. Keywords: drug storage, inventory management, secondary health facilities, Delta State, pharmaceutical management.