Procurement of pharmaceuticals from private suppliers by public hospitals in Dar es Salaam and coast regions

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. vi 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