The Tanzanian health sector as buyer and user of medicines and other essential supplies
This paper provides evidence on health sector performance as concerns availability, price and supply chain effectiveness by sector
Abstract
This working paper provides early access to new evidence, from 4 districts of Tanzania, on several aspects of health sector performance as concerns essential medicines and medical supplies: availability, price, and supply chain effectiveness by sector.
The paper confirms that availability of essential medicines, equipment, and medical supplies remains unsatisfactory, especially in rural areas and in lower level public sector facilities, with damaging effects for patients and staff. It shows that supply chains for medicines and other essential supplies are sharply segmented, the public sector facilities rely on one large public wholesaler, while the faith-based and private sector facilities and shops source items mainly from competing private wholesalers. The public sector’s supply chain strengths lie in low prices and quality assurance of medicines, while the key problems are supply gaps and delays. The private sector’s strengths include higher availability; however, private facilities and retailers face quality uncertainty, fluctuating prices, and need for credit, and try to overcome these by building working relationships with particular wholesalers.
This work is part of the ‘Industrial Productivity, Health Sector Performance and Policy Synergies for Inclusive Growth: A Study in Tanzania and Kenya’ Project
Citation
Tibandebage P, Mackintosh M, Israel C, Mhede E, Mujinja PGM, (2014) The Tanzanian Health Sector as Buyer and User of Medicines and Other Essential Supplies REPOA Working Paper 14(5) Dar es Salaam
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