1. SADC Medicines Database (SMD)
30 June 2016

2. Presentation Outline Programme Background Problem Statement & Approach
SMD and PPN platforms
Sustainability
Q & A

3. Programme overview
Initiated as a support programme for the SADC Pharmaceutical Business Plan, through the Department for International Development (DFID-UK) between 2009 and 2014, and now continues to operate as a regional programme through engagement with various partners and facilitators in the public and private sectors
Programme was designed in consultation with the SADC Secretariat, Member States (MS) and other stakeholders

4. Programme purpose
SARPAM aims to promote a more efficient and competitive market for essential medicines in order to meet the health needs of poor and underprivileged people in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

5. Problem Statement Recommended Approach
Shortages of essential medicines due mainly to:
Limited financial resources
Lack of adherence to pharmaceutical procurement and supply management (PPSM) best practices
Limited capacity to support regulatory processes of registration and quality control
Gaps in procurement information within countries
Lack of efficiency and competition in regional pharmaceutical market
Recommended Approach
Implementation of SADC Pharmaceutical Business Plan
Increase capacity to improve procurement and registration processes
Reduce costs and increase access to essential medicines
Develop and implement tools jointly created by SARPAM, SADC MS and SADC Sec
Create sustainable mechanisms for ensuring access to essential medicines

6. Top Conditions/Diseases in SADC with Regional Priority Ranking
HIV/AIDS 1
Tuberculosis 2
Malaria 3
Acute respiratory infections 4
Cardiovascular 5
Diabetes 6
Pneumonia 7
Diarrhoea 8
Cancer 9
Obstetrics, Gastroenteritis & colic 10

7. SADC Medicines Database (SMD) & Pooled Procurement Network (PPN)
Both are web-based information and work sharing platforms which encourage transparency in procurement among countries
SMD
Essential component supporting implementation of SADC PBP
SMD provides records of procurement transactions
Information on prices, suppliers and manufacturers of medicines
Portal for publicising upcoming pharmaceutical tenders for SADC countries
Price benchmarking functionality to identify cost saving opportunities
Facilitates harmonisation of procurement procedures among member states
PPN
Communication and knowledge exchange platform for procurement decision-makers
Discussion of challenges of quality and supplier performance
Sharing innovation and best practices in procurement

8. Paracetamol Syrup 120mg/5ml

9. Benefits of SADC Medicines Database (SMD)
“Information is Power and if Shared, becomes more Powerful”
Benefits
Platform that promotes Transparency in pharmaceutical procurement among SADC countries
Platform provides the first phase of the SADC Pooled Procurement Strategy in Information and Work Sharing among countries
Provides comparison of prices that countries are buying at with international prices
Price benchmarking functionality provides cost savings opportunities for all countries
Tool for regional cooperation and harmonisation of PPSM standards and practices
Provides database for registration status of medicines in SADC countries
Facilitates sharing of innovative procurement mechanisms and practices for essential medicines between countries
Actual cost savings of US$2,5m realised by one country

10. Sustainability
SMD needs continuous update for accuracy and relevance of data
SARPAM available to provide TA support to countries in updating SMD and its maintenance during transition period
Training on Procurement Information and Work Sharing Methodology to be provided in-country to ensure long term accuracy, relevance and improvement of the data being made available
Technical skills and responsibility for maintaining the SMD will be transitioned to the MS through defined transition plan
Pooled Procurement Task Team (PPTT) action plan to be implemented in order to continue driving the sustainability activities
Private Sector involvement welcome since they are likely to benefit from the data generated by the SMD

11. For more information contact:
Celestine Kumire
Programme Director
phone:
mobile: or
Thank You – Q&A