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
2 MeTA Uganda Briefing Mar-09
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
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4. 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
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5. 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
5
6. 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
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
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8. 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
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9. 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
10. 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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11. 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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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
13 MeTA Uganda Launch Mar-09
