Senegal, like many intermediate income countries, faces growing challenges linked to availability, quality, financial accessibility and logistics management of drugs.
Relative to the supply of so-called “tracers” drugs, that is to say essential drugs in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, cancer, and vaccination, several obstacles have been identified by a study by a group of researchers led by Pr Papa Gallo SOW of the Alioune Diop University of Bambey on supply mechanisms, prices and volumes of so-called drugs “Tracers” against these aforementioned diseases. In addition to these barriers, the associate professor in public health has listed the high cost of these drugs and the fact that they are under patent.
In the antiretroviral supply mechanism, not only is the acquisition system different, but also there is a “delay in delivery of products which often leads to tensions”.
Regarding tuberculosis, Pr SOW notes that “the order of 2nd line drugs is not integrated into the state subsidy. In addition, there are difficulties related to consumption -based quantification ”.
Because of the expensive costs, access to cancer treatment remains very limited. For example, 12 weeks of treatment vary between 600 and 1000 dollars and between 200 and 300 US dollars for generics.
“Several traceer drugs identified as essential are not available for purchase or are not acquired. This, because of an absence of suppliers, unaffordable prices, lack of forecast, ”informs the specialist. Faced with this situation, he advocates establishing a pharmaceutical watch to follow the differences between real needs and acquisitions. In addition, he adds, “certain anticancer drugs or 2nd line ARV are still under patent. This limits competition and therefore maintains high prices. Mechanisms and voluntary licenses make it possible to expand access ”. He thus pleads for Senegal to participate actively in international negotiations on access to drugs, in regional programs, in particular in the African Union, ECOWAS, GAVI. In his opinion, these initiatives promote regulatory harmonization and group purchases.
In terms of opportunities, the researcher calls to pool purchases for expensive products and create a sub-regional production center. He also insisted on the “need for strong diplomatic advocacy to bring national priorities”.
This is what justifies this study on “existing supply mechanisms, prices and purchase volumes of antiretroviral, anti -abcraculent, anti -cancer and vaccines in Senegal in 2023”, sponsored by Enda Health in partnership with NGO Kelin based in Nairobi in Kenya.
It is on the basis of these results that these civil society organizations intend to build a plea to bring governments to have policies allowing citizens to have access to these traceer drugs.
This study is part of a project which covers 25 countries including Senegal, according to Dr Papa Djibril Ndoye, deputy director of Enda Santé.
By Dialiguy Faye – [email protected]
