A new article published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, sheds light on a promising initiative aimed at making medicines more affordable and accessible across East African countries.
A meeting of Chief Pharmacists and CEOs of Central Medical Stores from the East African Community was held in Kigali, Rwanda in August 2023 to approve the proposed Pooled Procurement Model.
The research was led by RGHI-member Koray Parmaksiz (ESHPM), alongside a team of researchers and policy makers from the University of Rwanda and the EAC Secretariat. Over the past four years, they’ve observed and actively participated in various regional stakeholder meetings across East African countries.
The initiative has progressed through two key stages. The first, the “promise” stage, involved initial agreements between countries but was hindered by inconsistent funding and lack of ownership. Recently, it entered a more active “creation” phase, marked by the establishment of a dedicated organisation and increased collaboration to align goals and streamline procurement. The authors stress that sustained political commitment, secure funding, and a phased implementation approach are essential for long-term success.
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