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.