Publication: Private Sector Pharmaceutical Supply and Distribution Channels in Africa : A Focus on Ghana, Malawi and Mali
Date
2011-08
ISSN
Published
2011-08
Author(s)
Abstract
Sustainable access to affordable,
high-quality medicines is an important component in all
health care systems but remains limited in many African
countries. Supply and distribution of medicines are a
fundamental aspect of the success of any health system.
Disruptions to this supply undermine health outcomes as
supply chains have an impact on the availability, cost, and
quality of medicines for patients. Common problems
associated with the supply and distribution of
pharmaceuticals often include poor supply chain management,
stock pilfering, insufficient human resources, and limited
financing resulting in chronic stock outs. In resource-poor
settings where public services fail to meet demand, the
private and voluntary sectors are increasingly being called
on, prompting some policy makers to consider private
mechanisms as alternatives to state-run drug procurement and
distribution systems. This study reviews some of the ways in
which some countries in Africa organize their private
pharmaceutical supply and distribution channels, focusing on
three diverse countries: Ghana, Malawi, and Mali. It
discusses some of the strengths and challenges associated
with such arrangements, as well as relevant options to
improve access, availability, quality and affordability of
privately supplied pharmaceuticals.
Citation
“McCabe, Ariane; Seiter, Andreas; Diack, Aissatou; Herbst, Christopher H.; Dutta, Sheila; Saleh, Karima. 2011. Private Sector Pharmaceutical Supply and Distribution Channels in Africa : A Focus on Ghana, Malawi and Mali. Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP)
discussion paper;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/b98b378c-422a-5c5e-ac28-7a9b4bb65b1f License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”