Strategy for Pooled Procurement of Essential Medicines and
Health Commodities, 2013-2017
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
One of the priority objectives for the SADC region is “to improve sustainable availability and access to affordable,
quality, safe, efficacious essential medicines.” The development of the SADC Strategy for Pooled Procurement of
Essential Medicines and Health Commodities represents an important step towards that objective.
Studies done in the SADC region between 2009 and 2011 found considerable differences in Member States’ practices
of pharmaceutical procurement and supply management (PSM), as well as in the application of regulations and
procedures (such as for quality assurance and public procurement). While some Member States comply with a number
of internationally accepted principles of procurement, most struggle to do so due to insufficient financial and human
resource capacities.
There are opportunities for increasing market efficiencies by using regional approaches to procurement, such as
pooled procurement and applying “good practices” in the pharmaceutical PSM systems. With pooled procurement,
considerable savings can be made when procurement agencies in Member States practice information and work
sharing. The savings release more funds for procurement, which can increase availability of and access to essential
medicines and health commodities. Information sharing on product quality and supplier performance can also improve
market regulation.
Implementation of the Strategy will follow the principles and approach of results-based management, with a focus
on achieving specific outputs and outcomes, timely and efficiently. The proposed entity, the SADC Pharmaceutical
Procurement Services (SPPS), will manage implementation of the Strategy while relying on the guidance from
relevant SADC structures for policy development, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions, general oversight and
implementation processes.
Initial funding for implementation of the Strategy will come from Member States and international cooperating partners.
The SPPS shall charge a fee for managing regional pooled procurement. The fees, along with the results-based
monitoring mechanisms, will strengthen the sustainability of the initiative.
Consensus on the development of the Strategy was achieved through consultations with Member States, partners,
the SADC Secretariat, the private sector and civil society, where the following major issues were addressed ahead of
presentation to SADC Joint Ministers of Health and HIV and AIDS meeting in 2012:
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SADC, Pharmaceutical Business Plan 2007-2013. 27 June 2007