Logistics problems in pharmaceutical industry and research proposal for their solutions

This study aims to determine primary logistics problems in pharmaceutical industry and to offer solutions for those problems. Within this direction, the study has interviews, based on semi-structured interview, with three active pharmaceutical warehouses and a logistics firm. On the other hand, a detailed research is purposed by expecting managers to reply some propositions prepared by five-point Likert scale. In this context, as the last link in the chain surveys are made with pharmacies by simple random sampling method and 48 surveys are took into consideration. As a result of pre-interview with firms and pharmacies and of literature research, propositions are created after determining under which roofs the problems gather. In consequence of the research, it is identified that the present problem categories are "marketing, rivalry, route, conscious, standardization, supervision, communication, traceability and labour problems." Then, it is founded that primary issues of the industry are unavailable drugs in market, untimely delivery, intense competition, high prime costs, unconscious customers, policies for low prime costs, deficiency in outsourcing, unqualified workers and problems in customs. Key Words: Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmacy Logistics, Logistics Problems, SemiStructured Interview.