Management information systems in pharmaceuticals

Any firm in the pharmaceutical industry requires efficient and effective management information systems (MIS) to support managerial functions. Lack of timely access of the management in Iranian pharmaceutical firms to required information due to inefficiency and/or ineffectiveness of current MIS is the problem addressed in this paper. In this study, in addition to describing the current condition of MIS and management practice (MP) of the research environment as an example from pharmaceuticals, the relationship between them is demonstrated and suggestions for improving their condition are provided. The results indicate the efficiency and/or effectiveness of MIS are the outcome of the components of MIS, such as the Communication Mechanism and Archive System, and the components of MP, such as the Organisation and Methods, Performance Evaluation, Records Management and Human Relations. The research findings can be utilised in the areas of MIS design, development and training.