Piloting the Global Subsidy: The Impact of Subsidized Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies Distributed through Private Drug Shops in Rural Tanzania

Oliver J Sabot, Alex Mwita, Justin M Cohen, Yahya Ipuge, Megumi Gordon, David Bishop, Moses Odhiambo, Lorrayne Ward and Catherine Goodman

PLOS ONE, 2009, vol. 4, issue 9, 1-7

Abstract: Background: WHO estimates that only 3% of fever patients use recommended artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), partly reflecting their high prices in the retail sector from where many patients seek treatment. To overcome this challenge, a global ACT subsidy has been proposed. We tested this proposal through a pilot program in rural Tanzania. Methods/Principal Findings: Three districts were assigned to serve either as a control or to receive the subsidy plus a package of supporting interventions. From October 2007, ACTs were sold at a 90% subsidy through the normal private supply chain to intervention district drug shops. Data were collected at baseline and during intervention using interviews with drug shop customers, retail audits, mystery shoppers, and audits of public and NGO facilities. Conclusions: A subsidy introduced at the top of the private sector supply chain can significantly increase usage of ACTs and reduce their retail price to the level of common monotherapies. Additional interventions may be needed to ensure access to ACTs in remote areas and for poorer individuals who appear to seek treatment at drug shops less frequently. Trial Registration: Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN39125414.

Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0006857

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006857

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