Medicines Transparency Alliance - Zambia

Billy Mweetwa Country Medicines Advisor – Zambia

MeTA International Aim

• MeTA aims at improving access to quality medicines by increasing transparency of the pharmaceutical sector through collection of reliable data, valid analysis, and then disclosure for advocacy and public dialogue among stakeholders i.e. private/public sector/civil society

MeTA Hypothesis

TransparencyRELIABLE

INFORMATONMulti-

stakeholder approach

Improved accountabilityImproved governance Improved efficiency

Improved Policies

Improved access to

Medicines

How MeTA works

• WHO and Health Action International;– Project coordination – Technical support through the provision of data collection tools,

methodologies, capacity building and guidance – Approvals of plans (centre), funds disbursements and monitoring

implementations

• MeTA councils: Multi-stakeholder group that agrees to plan, discusses results

• MeTA Secretariat: Provides in country coordination for council

• WHO Country Office: Provide technical support

About MeTA Zambia

• Part of 7 countries project– Ghana, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Peru, Philippines, Uganda and Zambia

• It has a council in place – multi-stakeholder based– Chair from law maker background –former MP ruling party– Vice Chair MoH – Deputy Director MoH – P’ceutical Services

• Has conducted Phase 1 Pilot (2008 to 2010)– Was multi-stakeholder approach to establish

baseline data

Areas of interest in Phase 1

• Retail Pricing (Recommended Retail Price Study)

• Role of informal pharmacy Sector– Accreditation of informal sector pharmacy outlets done – modeled around

ADDO – Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets

• Private sector Mapping Study (local production)

Areas of interest in Phase 1

• Capacity building Media personnel ( workshops)

• Advocacy on pricing – radio live phoning programs, public drama programs in selected districts

• Policy dialogue – involving ministry, regulator, private and Civil Society

Successes

• All planned activities were implemented successfully

• MeTA Council was functional • Activities of phase one disseminated to wide

group through MeTA forum• One of the activities has contributed to some

policy change – accredited informal pharmacy outlets – though to be yet approved

successes

• MoH is viewing MeTA as a partner in increasing transparency in the supply chain

• MoH would like MeTA to do more around price monitoring

• Phase I is the platform for phase II

Challenges/threats

• Most of the prep work for Phase II has been done by volunteers

• Need to publish the works done so far• Heavy dependency on external funding • Good governance and Transparency in Medicines

relatively new concept– Sharing of information both private and public is still

an issue – Accountability and efficiency need to institutionalized

MeTA Zambia Phase II

• Proposal submitted for approval – Plans are based on the works done in phase two – More advocacy work for the public though media

program– Will play an active role in monitoring prices both

for private and public sector (procurement)– Policy dialogue will be active

• Secretariat: – Coordinator plan to be part time

Lessons learnt

• Pilot phase should have all stakeholders involved

• MoH should feel part of the MeTA Council• Having a politician in the council helped have

political presence • Local private sector is ready to fund some

activities as long as they feel part of the process

Lessons leant

• The concept of MeTA is new in this sector therefore cooperation from stakeholders take time

• Ministry is willing to work with MeTA provided mandate is made clear

• Evidence can help change policies and practices • Consensus building takes time and needs

patience

Lessons learnt

• Policy dialogue takes time • The work needed to be done needs

committed team • Capacity building is essential for MeTA council

members

Acknowledgements

• MeTA Zambia the Executive committee currently working as volunteers, TIZ saving as the secretariat

• Former coordinator Violet Kabwe and her team• WHO/HAI HQ for guidance • DFID– Funders for the project

• MoH – Zambia, Private Sector, Civil Society, Media Houses

• Stop Stock Out Project

• Twalumba (Thank You)