E-DRUG: Compilation of sources of medicine price information (6)
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Dear Peter
Publishing the data from the WHO/HAI surveys on medicine prices, availability, affordability and price components is one of the aims of our work to improve transparency around the prices of medicines.
The database on our website which was launched in 2003 contains price and availability data from more than 50 surveys and currently (unfortunately) only operates in Internet Explorer - however, we are currently developing a new web-interface for the database, which in addition to being compatible with the browsers which you mention, it will also include some new features - as well as containing data from more surveys and countries. As soon as this is launched, a posting will be made to e-drug.
Regards, Martin
Martin Auton, Global Projects Officer (Pricing)
HAI Global
Overtoom 60/III
1054 HK Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 683 3684
Fax: +31 20 685 5002
Email: martin@haiweb.org
E-DRUG: Compilation of sources of medicine price information (7)
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Martin, and colleagues,
This is good news on sources of medicine prices, which, together with similar work by MSH, is great for the health sector (public and private). One phenomenon I've experienced is the inability for some government institutions to release information considered sensitive/confidential. This includes information on how such government institutions buy, where they buy from, and at what price. I say 'inability' as the ability to release information to the public often has to be built into the civil service rules and regulations, or else through some sort of Freedom of Information Act. In some countries, therefore, one would need to open discussions with the civil service leaders, convince them about the value of transparency, etc, and support them in changing the rules and regulations and may be an amendment to existing laws, if such requirements are absent. In some countries, it is not quite clear whether by releasing what is considered government information/property, one is not risking ones job/life by so doing.
Clearly, a number of countries have made great strides in 'opening up' and have seen the positive value to their institutions for so doing. Initiatives such as the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) are helping to change understanding around the subject of transparency, sharing of information, practices, etc, and this is good but will take some to become common currency within the public and private sectors.
May I ask what experience HAI (and others) has had in this regard?
Bonnie
Bonface Fundafunda PhD., MBA., B.Pharm
Manager, Drug Supply Budget Line
Ministry of Health,
P.O. Box 30205,
Ndeke House,
Lusaka,
Zambia
Tel: +260 211 25 41 83
Fax: +260 211 25 33 44
Mobile: + 260 979 25 29 00
Email: bcfunda@hotmail.com
[Moderator's comment: Pacific Island Countries have a closed email discussion forum where they enthusiastically share with each other all sorts of information including sources and prices of medicines, supplier performance and much more. This forum is extremely valuable.]