Inventory Management Challenges and Improvement Strategies in Public Sector Health Facilities in Plateau State

Effective pharmaceutical inventory management in public health facilities is a prerequisite for uninterrupted service delivery, yet systemic weaknesses in this area remain a persistent challenge across Nigerian states. This study investigates inventory management challenges and evaluates improvement strategies in 30 public health facilities across three geopolitical senatorial zones of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. A mixed-methods research design combines structured questionnaires administered to pharmacy officers and store managers with observational checklists assessing inventory documentation, storage conditions, and stock management practices. Identified challenges are analysed using frequency distributions and ranked by severity, while focus group discussions with facility managers provide contextual depth. Findings reveal that the most prevalent challenges include inadequate forecasting practices, absence of minimum and maximum stock level policies, poor documentation, expired drug accumulation, and supply chain disruptions from the central medical stores. An adapted continuous review inventory system is proposed as the primary improvement intervention, alongside recommendations for digital stock management tools compatible with existing national health management information systems. A phased implementation plan covering training, system piloting, and scale-up is developed for the Plateau State Ministry of Health. Cost-benefit analysis suggests that improved inventory management could reduce annual drug wastage expenditure by approximately N320 million statewide. This research provides a practical management improvement guide applicable to health facility operations across Nigeria's North Central zone. Keywords: inventory management, public health facilities, pharmaceutical supply, Plateau State, stock control