Procurement Process for Purchasing ARVs
Why Doctors without Borders?
Doctors without Borders was the first international organization to provide ARVs to developing countries. The organization was started 1978 during the Biafra war in Africa and through years of battle finally became one of the first professional non-governmental organization to provide humanitarian work internationally to countries and areas most in need especially those suffereing from externalities from political conflict. Being one of the first International NGOs, they began projects with HIV/AIDS victims very early on. They were able to develop a substantially efficient medical treatment process for these victims, which today proves to be one of the most effective. Below is a map depicting where their ARV programs are located:
ARVs and MSF.
"Drug procurement continues to be a complicated and labour-intensive process, both in terms of ensuring the continuous supply of drugs in countries where projects have been begun and in starting up procurement countries where MSF is opening new projects (Doctors without Borders, Surmounting Challenges: Procurement of Antiretroviral Medicines in Low- and Middle-Income Countries)
Keeping in mind that there is no ideal procurement model for each and every country, these are some of the main findings and recommendations that DWB gave that had, from experience, the most significant impact in terms of buying affordable ARVs:
• To begin, the most effective procurement process for ARVs functions when the national HIV/AIDS strategy includes ARV treatment in their government policies which show their ultimate commitment.
• Political will, meaning the support and encouragement from the political spectrum, is also a crucial element for the procurement process and the selection of available and affordable quality drugs.
• Make sure that the patent status of ARV medicines are clear. With this in mind it is important for ARV procurers to remember that buyers “should advocate full registration rather than rely on special authorizations wherever possible."
• Procurers should also make a point to emphasize that “company’s global offers are respected by local agents”. If they do not respect the prices, they will go up and this will skew the whole process limiting affordability and access to this medication.
• It is also imperative that the buyer plans far enough in advance to “access the best possible prices and avoid shortage.”
• If the government procurement agency does not supply ARVs, it may be advisable to find a way to get them through local importers or agents to stock them locally rather than buy them from their manufacturer which tends to be more expensive.
Keeping in mind that there is no ideal procurement model for each and every country, these are some of the main findings and recommendations that DWB gave that had, from experience, the most significant impact in terms of buying affordable ARVs:
• To begin, the most effective procurement process for ARVs functions when the national HIV/AIDS strategy includes ARV treatment in their government policies which show their ultimate commitment.
• Political will, meaning the support and encouragement from the political spectrum, is also a crucial element for the procurement process and the selection of available and affordable quality drugs.
• Make sure that the patent status of ARV medicines are clear. With this in mind it is important for ARV procurers to remember that buyers “should advocate full registration rather than rely on special authorizations wherever possible."
• Procurers should also make a point to emphasize that “company’s global offers are respected by local agents”. If they do not respect the prices, they will go up and this will skew the whole process limiting affordability and access to this medication.
• It is also imperative that the buyer plans far enough in advance to “access the best possible prices and avoid shortage.”
• If the government procurement agency does not supply ARVs, it may be advisable to find a way to get them through local importers or agents to stock them locally rather than buy them from their manufacturer which tends to be more expensive.
