QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

The study evaluated Quality management practices and performances of pharmaceutical firms in Enugu state. The main objectives of the study were to: examine the relationship between quality planning and the profitability; ascertain the relationship between quality continuous improvement and the sales volume and evaluate the relationship between quality control and the productivity of pharmaceutical firms in Enugu state. The area of the study was pharmaceutical firms in Enugu state. The study used the descriptive survey design approach. The primary source of data was the administration of questionnaire. A total population of 308 staff was used. The whole population was used due to small number. Two hundred and forty eight (248) staff returned the questionnaire and accurately filled. Data was presented and analyzed using Likert Scale and the hypotheses using Pearson correlation coefficient (r). The findings indicated Quality planning had relationship with the profitability, r(95, n = 248) = .588 <.983, p<.05. Quality continuous improvement had relationship with the sales volume, r(95, n = 248) = .458 <.840, p<.05 and Quality control had relationship with the productivity of pharmaceutical firms in Enugu State, r(95, n = 248) = .370 <.675, p<.05. The study concluded that the study concluded that Quality planning, Quality continuous improvement and Quality control had relationship with the profitability, the sales volume and productivity of pharmaceutical firms in Enugu State. The study recommended amongst others that the management of the pharmaceutical firms should endeavour to have quality plan to enable them structure document that includes the essentials of a project, from resources to workforce, and technologies to deadline