Description
In Nigeria, where malaria is endemic, the local drug shops are usually the first point of contact for patients. As most people live in the rural areas where access to hospitals and bigger community pharmacies is a challenge, they resort to the lower cadre drug shops commonly called "chemist" shops, patent medicine store etc to manage their ailment.
Over time, these shops are saddled with existing systemic challenges of poor drug supply chain, sustainable sourcing, and pricing issues.
Similarly, most low and middle-income countries face same challenges. This begs for a sustainable supply chain and financial services for these lower cadre drug shops to continue serving their communities.
To avoid sourcing counterfeit products, there is need to collaborate with the pharmaceutical industries, supply chain organisations and health organisations to strengthen their skills and build their capacity, link them up to financial assistance to ensure continous availability of these lifesaving medications and technology to document and offer reliable services.
As generally known, no product me as no health project, and so, supply chain is of paramount importance towards ensuring elimination of malaria. As tasksharing and taskshifing had offered these lower cadre healthcare providers to offer these testing and treatment services, there is need to fund them and continously offer them mentorship.
Also, since most people do not have access to health insurance, financial assistance to the providers, discount programs, and funding of health organisations offering financial assistance for health services will go a long way towards ensuring smooth supply chain management for the elimination of malaria.
Government, funding organisations and individuals are encouraged to work with providers closest to the community to understand their supply chain needs and design impact - oriented solutions.
| Contact Geneva Health Forum | I would like to receive information about the GHF 2024 conference and other GHF activities / Je souhaite recevoir des informations sur la conférence GHF 2024 et d'autres activités du GHF. |
|---|
