Pharmaceutical Inventory Management Approaches and Performance Outcomes in Hospital Pharmacies: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Effective pharmaceutical inventory management is essential to hospital pharmacy operations because it helps ensure the continuous availability of medicines, reduces unnecessary waste, and supports the efficient use of financial resources. To strengthen inventory control and guide decision-making, hospitals have applied various analytical methods, including ABC, VEN, ABC–VEN, ABC–XYZ, Critical Index, and Minimum-Maximum Stock Level (MMSL) analyses.

Objectives: This systematic review examined and synthesized evidence on inventory management approaches used in hospital pharmacy settings and assessed their role in improving operational efficiency, maintaining medicine availability, and controlling costs.

Methods: The review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Garuda to identify studies published between 2019 and 2024. Of the 898 records initially retrieved, 12 met the predefined eligibility criteria. Relevant data on study characteristics, inventory control methods, outcomes, and limitations were extracted and analyzed. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist.

Results: The findings consistently showed that medicines classified as Category A under the Critical Index represented only a small proportion of total inventory items but accounted for the largest share of expenditure. ABC–VEN analysis supported the prioritization of high-cost and clinically essential medicines while helping to reduce inventory waste. Meanwhile, ABC–XYZ analysis improved inventory planning by considering variations in demand. Several studies also incorporated lead time, investment value, and medicine criticality into inventory-related decision-making. The use of ABC–VEN analysis was associated with inventory cost reductions of 35%–60%, while MMSL interventions decreased stock-out events and improved inventory turnover.

Conclusion: Inventory management strategies play an important role in improving pharmaceutical supply performance and promoting the rational use of medicines in hospitals. Approaches that combine economic, clinical, and operational considerations appear to offer the most comprehensive framework for effective inventory control. Future investigations should prioritize multicenter and longitudinal designs with standardized outcome measures to strengthen the evidence base for hospital pharmacy management.