Challenges of Implementing Access Strategy by Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya

Abstract

The motive behind this study was to establish challenges of implementing access strategy by pharmaceutical companies in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to; establish the challenges of implementing access strategy by pharmaceutical companies in Kenya and identify measures taken by pharmaceutical companies operating in Kenya to deal with challenges of implementing access strategy. The research design adopted was a descriptive research design. Descriptive research design was considered appropriate because it provided the opportunity of recording data without manipulation. The study adopted a census approach where information was sought from all the (50) pharmaceutical companies operating in Kenya. The unit of analysis was pharmaceutical companies and unit of observation was employees of pharmaceutical companies. The study used primary data which was collected through questionnaires containing both open ended and closed questions. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Quantitative data was measured using descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation and frequency distribution tables. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis method where key themes were reviewed from published content to make conclusions about the problem under investigation Results of the study were presented in tables for easier interpretation by various stakeholders. The study established that inadequate allocation of resources, inadequate environmental scanning before implementation of access strategy, poor leadership, high cost products, lack of employee training and automated distribution systems were some of the challenges that were experienced by pharmaceutical companies in Kenya during implementation of access strategies. It can be concluded that unless pharmaceutical companies embrace modern management practices like employee training, technology integration in the system, production of low cost quality products and review their vision and mission, gaining competitive edge will be an uphill task. The study recommends that pharmaceutical companies should embrace good leadership, resource management, restructure, train employees and automate their distribution system in order to implement access strategies or gain competitiveness in the changing business environment.