Improving the supply and use of essential drugs in sub-Saharan Africa

S. D. Foster

No 456, Policy Research Working Paper Series from The World Bank

Abstract: Few people in sub - Saharan Africa have access to essential drugs. And where drugs are available, they are inequitably distributed and improperly used. Shortages of drugs in Africa are caused not only by lack of funds, although in many countries this is the major reason. Poor utilization and wastage of drugs in public and private sectors are also responsible and can be improved; and the wastage of available foreign exchange can be reduced. While the private sector has a role to play, it is important to be realistic about its ability to serve the whole population and about the quality of the service it provides. Producing local drugs would need to be evaluated in a realistic manner taking account of individual country circumstances. Specific measures to improve selection, quantification, procurement, storage and distribution, and prescription and use of drugs have been implemented in a number of African countries, resulting in significant improvements in the availability of drugs.

Keywords: Pharmaceuticals&Pharmacoeconomics; Health Monitoring&Evaluation; Pharmaceuticals Industry; Adolescent Health; Markets and Market Access (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1990-06-30
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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