This paper outlines the flows of private capital that lie behind the growth of the for-profit
pharmaceutical sector in Tanzania, and analyses the policy, access and equity challenges
posed by the shift to increasing private sector participation in medicine provision. The study was
implemented within the Regional Network for Equity in Health in East and Southern Africa
(EQUINET) by the Institute of Development Studies, University of Dar es Salaam, in a regional
programme co-ordinated by the Institute for Social and Economic Research, South Africa.
The Tanzanian drug policy specifically highlights the government’s intention to ensure that
quality, effective essential medicines reach all Tanzanians at an affordable price. Using case
study examples, this study explored the concept of access to essential medicines in four
dimensions: physical availability, affordability, geographic accessibility, and acceptability (or
satisfaction) defined as the fit between users’ and providers’ attitudes and expectations about
products and services and the actual characteristics of these products and services (MSH,
2001). Three pharmaceutical companies involved in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) were
studied — two in Dar es Salaam city (Shelys and Keko) and one in Arusha town (Tanzanian
Pharmaceutical Industry (TPI)). Data was also collected from the relevant government ministries,
departments, and agencies; and development partners:
Data collection included documentary reviews of various studies and reports from
pharmaceutical companies, the government, donors and other stakeholders, followed by a
review of the existing government policies, legislation and guidelines for the pharmaceutical
sector. Documentary analysis aimed to:
 identify and analyse existing policies, legal framework, and guidelines dealing with capital
flows in the pharmaceutical sector, local pharmaceutical production, marketing, and the
links to local procurement; and
 examine distribution systems and the demand for the locally produced drugs to identity
strengths and critical gaps.
Key-Informant interviewees were also conducted with persons from the three pharmaceutical
companies (Shelys, Keko and TPI); government officials at the Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare (MoHSW), the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA); and the Development
Partners i.e. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Techniese Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and DANIDA.