Medicines Transparency Alliance
(MeTA) Uganda
Launch
Fairway Hotel
27 March 2009

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
2 MeTA Uganda Briefing Mar-09

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

Perspectives – Private Sector
 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?
Mar-09
4

Perspectives – Civil Society
 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
Mar-09
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Perspectives – Government
 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
Mar-09
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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

Outputs – transparency and
information disclosure
Activity Stakeholders
Periodic surveys of medicines prices MoH, HEPS, WHO
and availability
Web-based information on NDA, PS
registration, quality, volumes and (Manuf/Importers)
FOB cost of medicines
Evaluation of the rolling plan for Gov, Dev. Partners,
provision of medicines for the Implem Agencies, TWG
UNMCHP (FY 08-09)
Mar-09
8

Outputs – accountability and
good governance
Activity Stakeholders
Stop the stock-outs campaign CSOs
Multi-stakeholder follow-up of Gov, CS, TWG
recommendations of the tracking
study, periodic surveys and
performance evaluation
Mar-09
9

Outputs – IEC & awareness
Activity Stakeholders
Pilot awareness campaign on approp. HEPS, PSU
use of medicines in communities and
train drug handlers
Contribute to IEC strategies and Multi-stakeholder
messages at national level
Radio talk shows, jingles Multi-stakeholder
Mar-09
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Outputs – CSO capacity building
Activity Stakeholders
Build capacity in at least 30 CSOs to Expanded CS-MeTA
effectively participate in improved alliance
governance, transparency and
accountability in medicines supply
chain
Engage policy makers on the issue of MoH, MoFPED, LG,
low availability / high stock-outs of Parliament, AG, PPDA,
medicines NDA, NMS
Mar-09
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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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Thank you!
 Questions, comments …????
 More about MeTA:
www.MedicinesTransparency.org
13 MeTA Uganda Launch Mar-09