Abstract:
BACKGROUND: In Tanzania the supply of pharmaceuticals is from public and
private. In public sector Medical Stores Department is the sole supplier of
pharmaceuticals to public health facilities. When MSD is out of stoc k of some items,
the public health facilities purchase from private suppliers. It is not known if these
health facilities follow the rules and regulation set in the Public Procurement Act of
2011 and its Regulations when procuring from these private suppliers. This study
explores the reasons for procure from private suppliers and if the health facilities
follows appropriate procurement methods and tendering process as stated in the Act.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the procurement practic es in
district hospitals, whether they adhere to policies and regulations when purchasing
pharmaceuticals from private suppliers; and to identify challenges faced by these
public hospitals during the whole process.
METHODOLOGY:A cross sectional design was used. The study was conducted in
five district hospitals, three from Dar-es-salaam; Amana, Mwananyamala and
Temeke and two from Coast region including Bagamoyo and Tumbi. A number of
recorded documents were reviewed to capture informations on procurement process.
A sub study was done through use of structured questionnaire to assess the level of
knowledge of personnels dealing with procurement in selected health facilities and
challenges faced when procuring pharmaceuticals from private suppliers.
RESULTS: The study revealed a number of weakness in implentation of PP Act and
its Regulations, including lack of of Annual Procurement Plans, non compliance
with contract specification, poor record keeping of adverts, and Time for submission
of price quotation. Some of the major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector
include high price of pharmaceuticals, failure of suppliers to fulfill orders and
meeting specification, insufficient funds to pay for pharmaceuticals and the process
is time consuming. These le ad to unsafe practices, and reliance on outside agencies.
Despite of the mention weakness, these hospitals performed better in number of
indicators; the use of appropriate procurement method, Establishment of Tender
Board and establishment of Evaluation sub-committee.
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CONCLUSION: Procurement of pharmaceuticals from private suppliers in public
hospitals is not adhering to regulation. The hospitals over use fund due to lack of
procurement plans, therefore products are procured out of estimated budget. Despite
the fact Private suppliers are alternative source of MSD still they fail to fulfill orders
and complying according to specifications. Personneldealing with procurement have
moderate level of knowledgeable with regard to tendering procedures
