Presentation on the background to MeTA initiative in Uganda and the shape of MeTA Uganda.

1. CSO Workshop
Sunset Hotel
26 April 2009
Medicines Transparency Alliance
(MeTA) Uganda

2. 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

3. 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-09
3

4.  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-09
4

5.  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-09
5

6.  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-09
6

7. 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-09
7

8. Activity Stakeholders
Periodic surveys of medicines prices
and availability
MoH, CSOs, 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-09
8

9. Activity Stakeholders
Stop 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-09
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10. Activity Stakeholders
Pilot awareness campaign on approp.
use of medicines in communities and
train drug handlers
CSOs, PSU
Contribute to IEC strategies and
messages at national level
Multi-stakeholder
Radio talk shows, jingles Multi-stakeholder
Outputs – IEC & awareness
Mar-09
10

11. Activity Stakeholders
Build 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-09
11

12. 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-09
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13. Thank you!
Questions, comments …????
More about MeTA:
www.MedicinesTransparency.org
Mar-09MeTA Uganda Launch13