Transparency in procurement

Posted on 8 July 2009

Eva Ombaka, coordinator of the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network and a member of MeTA's International Advisory Group, has looked at the current status of medicines procurement and notes that it is a complex process involving many stakeholders who can affect it or whose work can be markedly changed by it. Many issues must also be addressed if the provision of equitable, quality, and efficient pharmaceutical care is to occur.

In a recent article in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, she highlighted the need for any pharmaceutical procurement to be done in a way that ensures transparency and a corruption-free process. "The high market value of pharmaceutical products means that the procurement of these products is prone to unethical practices such as theft and corruption. Though such practices are common around the world, a number of factors predispose developing countries to higher risks. It is estimated that in some countries, up to two thirds of all hospital medicines are "lost" through poor procurement practices, including corruption and fraud,^" she noted. In addition, these unethical practices can mean that unsafe medical products can enter the supply chain with potentially serious health consequences. 

The full article - Current status of medicines procurement - is available on line: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Vol. 66, Issue 5_Supplement_3, s20-s28