How To Use Remedial Rx to fix Supply Chain Challenges in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines access to medicines as having medicines that are always available and reasonably priced at health facilities within an hour’s walk of the population.

From the definition above, we can confidently conclude that Africa lacks access to medications. Sub-saharan Africa has the poorest health conditions in the world as reported by the WHO (World Health Statistics, 2014). According to WHO, 50% of children under five who die globally of pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria are in Africa. These diseases are easily preventable or treatable with timely access to medications and healthcare services.

Less than 1.5% of pharmaceuticals consumed in Africa are manufactured on the continent. The implication of this is that many Africans lack access to affordable medicines and have to rely on imported ones which cost more.

What is a supply chain?

A supply chain refers to the network that connects people, organizations, resources, activities and technology involved in the production and sale of a product. A supply chain consists of the delivery of raw materials from a supplier to a manufacturer to the final delivery to the user.

The pharmaceutical supply chain

The pharmaceutical supply chain is the network in which prescription medicines are manufactured and delivered to patients. The pharma supply chain network is a complex one, a number of steps must be taken to ensure medications are available to patients. Manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacy benefit managers are active players in the pharma supply chain.

Due to the complexities of the supply chain, the stakes are high for pharmaceutical companies. An inefficient supply chain could lead to errors in drug distribution, affecting the company's reputation, profit and customer satisfaction.

5 basic steps in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

According to researchers, there are many variations to the five basic steps listed below due to the evolving players in the supply chain.

The steps include;

Step 1: Pharmaceuticals are manufactured

Step 2: Pharmaceuticals are given to wholesale distributors.

Step 3: They (pharmaceuticals) are stocked at pharmacies and patent medicine stores

Step 4: Pharmaceuticals are subjected to price negotiations.

Step 5: Pharmaceuticals are then dispensed by pharmacies and patent medicine stores before being delivered to and consumed by patients.

Pharma Supply Chain Challenges in Africa

The supply of medicines and other pharmaceuticals has not matched the demand in Africa. As a result, many people do not have access to medications. This has reduced the life expectancy for both males and females. Treatable and preventable diseases are widespread in Africa, and all these have caused a crunch in healthcare delivery.

Below are the challenges:

1. Counterfeit medicines: Due to the unorganized drug distribution chain in Africa, medicines are usually purchased in unrestricted markets with free access. With an influx in the competition of buyers and sellers for pharmacies, patent medicine stores. This has led to the sale of drugs in bus parks, markets and kiosks by untrained persons with the sole aim of making a profit. Drug monitoring is almost impossible in situations like this because of the greed-driven mindset of these vendors.
2. Distribution challenges: There exists an intricate pharma supply chain system in many African countries with the public and private sectors actively involved. Procurement and distribution, two separate but important functions, have poor communication which hinders efficiency. Due to logistics challenges like poor vehicle conditions and vehicle shortage, many programs have built their own supply chain systems within the private sector which has led to a complicated distribution network.
3. Poor inventory and forecasting: Proper inventory management at different levels of the pharma supply chain is critical for effective distribution from the various warehouses. Due to insufficient information about consumption patterns, current stock levels, and capacity constraints inappropriate stock levels are a regular occurrence.
4. High cost of medications: Africa relies on imported pharmaceuticals. As of 2019, about 70–90 percent of the drugs consumed in sub-Saharan Africa were imported. High importation costs make medicines expensive.
5. Misuse of medicines: Misuse of antimicrobial medications can contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, making them ineffective against infections.

Remedial Rx: a unique approach to these challenges

Remedial Rx is an app that combines the use of pharmaceutical procurement innovations, inventory financing solutions, and pharmacy operations/patient management solutions to promote digital health in Africa.

Remedial Rx affords you access to the amazing features below;

1. Remedial Store: You can get stock via the Remedial store and enjoy a counterfeit-proof supply chain. The processes put in place by Remedial Health help combat counterfeiting. The processes include;

• Anti-counterfeit Mobile Authentication Service (MAS),
• direct supply from manufacturers and vetted distributors

2. Remedial Market access: Pharmaceutical manufacturers can get their products into the African market through our

• data-driven local intelligence
• regulatory expertise and network of distributors and pharmacies.

We help you unlock access to those who need your pharmaceutical products the most in Africa with ease. Visit www.remedial.health for more information.

3. Remedial Intelligence: This helps pharmaceutical companies and distributors, NGOs and government institutions to unlock market opportunities and make smarter decisions with pharma supply chain and market insights into the local pharmaceutical markets. Remedial Intelligence helps stakeholders;

• understand the competitive landscape for market positioning and pricing decisions
• uncover trends and factors impacting sales
• understand the market perception of your products
• Forecast demand

4. Procure Medicines at discounted rates: Depending on your financial capacity, choosing between feeding your family and taking your medication can be very challenging due to the high cost of medications. Many people prefer not to take their meds but with Remedial Rx, you don’t need to worry about the high cost of medications. Get the best direct-from-manufacturer rates from Remedial Rx

Closing Thoughts

Remedial Rx is the answer to Africa’s supply chain issues. Your pharmacy or patent medicine store can leverage Remedial Health’s offer to limit the circulation of counterfeit drugs in Africa and create awareness via symposiums on the adverse health consequences of the misuse of medicines. Visit www.remedial.health for more information on how you can partner with us.