A mobile application for supply chain coordination of artemisinin-based combination therapy drugs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a mobile application for the supply chain coordination of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) drugs that addresses overstock and understock issues in a multi-embedded healthcare supply chain. A literature review explored the supply chain coordination problems, and identified the needs of the various stakeholders at the micro, market and macro environment levels as related to the supply and distribution of ACT drugs. Apart from revealing the gaps at the micro, market and macro environment levels, the study also identified the problems being experienced in African countries due to the centralisation of IT systems, which makes it difficult to control the inventory and to determine when to order drugs. To address the problem, a quantitative computer programming approach was used to incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT) model and barcode technology. Barcode was identified as a technology that will help to identify, track and monitor trends in terms of the use of ACT drugs. As this technology works best on a smartphone, the study adopted the Internet of Things (IoT) model. The mobile application was developed using Xamarin technology and the Microsoft dot net (.NET) framework. The study used an experimental research strategy to test the system for any anomalies, and the findings revealed a functional mobile application that responds to the needs of the multi-embedded supply chain coordination problem related to ACTs. The study was limited to the computer laboratory, and excluded impact assessments. The developed application will benefit businesses, non-government organizations (NGOs), government agencies and social entrepreneurs to leverage digital technologies to generate positive social impactful outcomes.