Wilbert Bannenberg

Technical Director

International MeTA Secretariat

30 May 2009, Amman, Jordan

Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA): Country progress and key lessons

MeTA 16/09/2008 1

What is MeTA?

An innovative and comprehensive approach An international & national multi-stakeholder alliance

designed to: – support country efforts to increase access to medicines

across the whole supply chain– improve the flow of information and increase transparency

on price, quality, availability and promotion– support stronger governance and accountability and share

learning

16/09/2008 2MeTA

MeTA Principles

Commitment to improving health Comprehensive approach to health systems, including

pharmaceuticals Transparency and accountability can:

– Improve system performance– Build confidence– Support equity and social justice

It takes us all working together to bring about the change we need

16/09/2008 3MeTA

MeTa Country commitments

Establish an effective multi-stakeholder forum with public, private and civil society engagement

Progressive disclosure of data in four areas

Quality Regulatory, sourcing, quality assurance, vigilance

Availability Supply chain operations, equitable access

Price Supplier, wholesaler, retailer, import taxes, duties, affordability

Promotion Objective information, rational use, ethical advertising

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MeTA Pilot Countries

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MeTA Pilot objectives

Add value to country ATM efforts through transparency and multi-stakeholder working

Road test the MeTA approach in different country settings

Engage stakeholders at country and int’l levels

Provide a model for eventual roll out in further countries

16/09/2008 6MeTA

MeTA implementation process

Stakeholders engaged

MeTA Council formed

MeTA Secretariat formed

Pre-MoU work done

MoU signed

Workstarted

GHANA

JORDAN

KYRGYZSTAN

PERU

PHILIPPINES

UGANDA

ZAMBIA16/09/2008 7MeTA

MIAG

Specific Success or Milestone

GHANA JORDAN KYRGYZSTAN PERU PHILIPPINES UGANDA ZAMBIA

Establishment of the physical

secretariat

Full support of

government and private

sector

Identifying the stakeholders and approval of the

work plan

Sign MoU because it is

final point

Successful forums and

especially the CSO Forum in

Jan 2009

Successful launch and

the receiving of funds

Successful launch and

media interest

816/09/2008

16/09/2008MeTA 9

Key Challenges to MeTA implementation

Stakeholder engagement and maintaining interest Insufficient legislation/regulation and excessive

bureaucracy Difficulties in extracting information Lack of tools for accessing information

Lessons learned in countries Contexts are different in every country, so local conditions determine

the pace and content of the work. It takes time to get the right people at the table, build trust and

develop a working relationship among stakeholders. Consensus builds with a constant exchange of views. Stakeholder commitment is key to a successful process. Some problems in the medicines supply chain require tough political

action to solve. Starting work on less controversial issues is key. Systems and structures for disclosing data often do not exist in

countries and may have to be created.

16/09/2008 10MeTA

Key priorities for MeTA Progressive disclosure of data about medicines Developing and testing a new multi-stakeholder

approach and preparing stakeholders for meaningful engagement

Ensuring the strong engagement of the private sector at country and international level

Increasing the voice of patients and consumers and strengthening capacity and opportunity for their engagement

Documenting innovation, change and good practice across the programme.

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Congratulations to Jordan on the successful establishment and launch of MeTA and every good wish for the success of the programme here.

International Secretariat, info@metasecretariat.org www.MedicinesTransparency.org