THE ROLE OF POOLED PROCUREMENT PROGRAMME IN THE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF MEDICINES OF THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC HEALTH SERVICES (NCHS) IN GHANA

ABSTRACT

The inaccessibility, high prices, and poor quality medicines in low and middle- income countries contribute considerably to the rate of mortalities yearly, including those resulting from communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as, malaria and hypertension which could be treated with existing medicines. One innovative way to effectively deal with the high prices and be able to have economies of scale is through ‘bulk buying’ from a number of procurers and to ensure the constant quality improvement greatly desired to retain customer loyalty. This thesis focused on the role of pooled procurement programme (PPP) in the National Catholic Health Secretariat (NCHS) to examine the policy framework, and the level of cost-effectiveness of the PPP implementation, determine the strategies of the NCHS for the PPP, identify the systems and structures used to determine quality of medicines procured through the PPP, and identify challenges confronting managers in the implementation of the PPP. The study used a qualitative research approach with a case study design and adopted a four-stage primary data collection procedure using an interview guide through face-to-face interviews. Twenty respondents were interviewed. The data collected were analyzed qualitatively using framework analysis by Pope and Ziebland. The establishment of the PPP was mandated by the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference (GCBC) through a Board (Pooled Procurement Task Force) which is supported by the Directorate of Health of the NCHS. It was also established that after the initial three years of the programme inception, it realized 30% reduction in the average cost of medicines from the open market. The strategy of PPP practiced by the NCHS is the group contracting. In ensuring quality of medicines, suppliers are supposed to be registered, have their tax clearance, Pharmacy Council Certificate, and Food and Drug Authority Certificate which is subject for renewal every other year. The PPP faces some major challenges among them is the long delay of the NHIA reimbursements to the various health facilities.