Launch Fairway Hotel

27 March 2009

Medicines Transparency Alliance(MeTA) Uganda

Presentation Overview

Background to MeTA initiative in Uganda

o Sequence of events and consultations

o Stakeholder perspectives on MeTA priorities for improved access to medicines

The shape of MeTA in Uganda

o Structures: Council, Secretariat, Fund holder

o MoU and Work plan

Mar-09MeTA Uganda Briefing2

Brief History of MeTA Uganda (2007- 2008)

Scoping study & supply chain study in 2007 MOH accept invitation to join as a MeTA pilot country CSO members attended capacity building workshop in

Uganda (Feb. 2008) Multi-stakeholder attendance from Uganda at global

launch (May 2008) Int’l Secretariat visit (Oct. 2008) Short-term TA contracted to support pre-launch

processes Private sector mapping by Int’l consultant (Dec. 2008)

Mar-093

Need for info on medicines market / demand– Most stakeholders agree on info sharing, disclosure

Pricing policy, e.g. recomm. / max. retail price– Agreement in the case of essential medicines;

lower price=higher access= increased sales

Import of generics vs local manufacture– S/Hs differ on strategic value of local manuf;

GI conditionalities = better quality or barrier?

Perspectives – Private Sector

Mar-094

Transparency in the supply chain– Procurement and supply management information

in the public domain

CSO representation at all levels– Enhanced accountability; reduced pilferage

Capacity building for effectiveness– Players in supply chain, n.b. health facility level– CSO participation from policy level to community

Perspectives – Civil Society

Mar-095

Poor medicines availability in public facilities Under funding of medicines

– 30% of the requirement for UNMHCP; escalating cost due to scale up of programmes needing expensive medicines (ARVs, ITNs, ACTs)

Weak proc. and supply management systems – At all levels; concerns over VFM/ quality in local

private sector purchases/ excessive retail mark-ups; reports of leakage

Perspectives – Government

Mar-096

Lead up to Launch (2009)

Formal establishment of National Multi-Stakeholder Council

National MeTA Secretariat streamlined and Coordinator recruited

Fund-holder arrangement MoU signed for implementation of country work

plan

Mar-097

Activity StakeholdersPeriodic surveys of medicines prices and availability

MoH, HEPS, WHO

Web-based information on registration, quality, volumes and FOB cost of medicines

NDA, PS (Manuf/Importers)

Evaluation of the rolling plan for provision of medicines for the UNMCHP (FY 08-09)

Gov, Dev. Partners, Implem Agencies, TWG

Outputs – transparency and information disclosure

Mar-098

Activity StakeholdersStop the stock-outs campaign CSOs

Multi-stakeholder follow-up of recommendations of the tracking study, periodic surveys and performance evaluation

Gov, CS, TWG

Outputs – accountability and good governance

Mar-099

Activity StakeholdersPilot awareness campaign on approp. use of medicines in communities and train drug handlers

HEPS, PSU

Contribute to IEC strategies and messages at national level

Multi-stakeholder

Radio talk shows, jingles Multi-stakeholder

Outputs – IEC & awareness

Mar-0910

Activity StakeholdersBuild capacity in at least 30 CSOs to effectively participate in improved governance, transparency and accountability in medicines supply chain

Expanded CS-MeTA alliance

Engage policy makers on the issue of low availability / high stock-outs of medicines

MoH, MoFPED, LG, Parliament, AG, PPDA, NDA, NMS

Outputs – CSO capacity building

Mar-0911

Summary - MeTA

Global initiative to improve access to medicines through increased transparency & accountability

Governed by national & international multi-stakeholder forums

Progressive disclosure of data collected / information reported = key outcome of pilot

Mar-0912

Thank you!

Questions, comments …????

More about MeTA: www.MedicinesTransparency.org

Mar-09MeTA Uganda Launch13