Supply chains for medicines and health care supplies in Tanzania and Kenya

Mackintosh, Maureen (2017). Supply chains for medicines and health care supplies in Tanzania and Kenya. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive. 10.5255/UKDA-SN-852041

This project studied the supply chains of essential medicines and medical equipment and supplies from local industries and imports into the health systems in Tanzania and Kenya. Shortages and unaffordability of these commodities are persistent causes of exclusionary and poor quality health care in low income Africa.
The hypothesis is that better integration between industrial and health policies could contribute to higher employment, industrial upgrading, and improved health system performance and accessibility. If this is correct, improved industrial production can improve health service performance while raising economic output: in other words, contribute to inclusive growth.
The project interviewed heath facilities, shops and wholesalers in all sectors, in urban and rural contexts, about their procurement practices and problems. Mapping of supply chains was followed by discussion and debate with private sector businesses, and with policymakers in health and industrial sectors, on the scope for and potential benefit of more integrated policy making.

Data description (abstract)

Data collection on supply chains for essential medicines and medical supplies to health facilities and shops was undertaken in four districts in three regions of Tanzania and four districts in three counties in Kenya. In Tanzania, 32 health facilities (public, private, and faith-based), and 10 private pharmacies and drug shops are included in the data sets; in Kenya the total is 34 health facilities and 21 pharmacies and shops. The data sets include quantitative (STATA) and qualitative (NVivo) data, all anonymised. For each organisation (health facility or shop), basic data includes type of facility or shop, locational details, and details of interviewees’ roles and training. For each country, two quantitative data sets give details, for each facility or shop, of availability, source (manufacturer and country of manufacture), wholesaler, and price a set of tracer essential medicines, and a set of tracer essential supplies and equipment. In addition, for each country there is a qualitative data set of interviews with those responsible for procurement, based on semi-structured interview schedules.

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