Healthy Markets CoP Session - Pharmacies and Drug Shops - December 2024

The December HMCoP session explored the critical role of pharmacies and drug shops as private sector sources of FP/SRH products and services. This session showcased expert insights and sparked discussions on innovative approaches to strengthen the sector’s contributions to health systems, align with policy frameworks, and meet community needs.

Watch the session

Speaker highlights

		Dr. Vinit provided an overview of High Impact Practices (HIPs) for family planning, emphasizing pharmacies’ role in expanding access to FP/SRH services. His presentation outlined promising evidence for policy interventions and highlighted gaps that require further exploration.

		Mercy Chamwalira, CEO and founder of Mitch Investments, Malawi presented the unique challenges faced by private pharmacies, including product shortages and competition from free public services. Mercy proposed innovative solutions such as training more staff and adopting business models that attract private sector investment.

Elsa Nhantumbo from the MOMENTUM Private Healthcare Delivery (MPHD) project in Mozambique showcased  how MPHD integrates pharmacies into district-level data systems and fostering stronger public-private partnerships. Elsa emphasized the importance of ensuring pharmacies have a voice in policy discussions and implementation.

Key takeaways

The Role of Pharmacies and Drug Shops in FP/SRH Markets

• Pharmacies and drug shops serve as critical access points, particularly for underserved and remote communities, offering convenience, privacy, and cost-effectiveness.
• In many LMICs, policies and regulatory frameworks often hinder pharmacies and drug shops from realizing their full potential to provide key FP/SRH products and services to their communities.

Challenges Addressed 

• Outdated regulatory frameworks and restrictive policies. These include policies hindering pharmacies and drug shops from stocking, dispensing, and marketing some FP/SRH products.
• High turnover among pharmacy staff and limited training opportunities, especially for training provided by the public sector. Financial barriers, including access credit and sustainable business models.
• Supply chain constraints affecting product availability and affordability. 

Strategic Solutions Proposed 

• Advocacy for tiered accreditation models and more supportive operating environments.
• Strengthened and regular training programs for pharmacy staff to enhance service quality.
• Pharmacies and drug shops to be represented in key platforms related to FP/SRH products and services and to be updated with any relevant policy and regulatory changes.
• Partnerships between private and public sectors to ensure product supply and demand creation.
• Leveraging of data systems to integrate private sector contributions into national health strategies.
• Strengthened pharmacy and drug shops networks and associations that can play various roles in enhancing their roles in FP/SRH markets. 

Highlights from session chat 

• Multi-Month Dispensing Policies- The group discussed the challenges and opportunities surrounding multi-month dispensing for pharmacies, with examples from different contexts like Nigeria. Policies on dispensing and their impact on pharmacy-based care were highlighted.
• DMPA-SC Availability and Training- Participants explored the availability of DMPA-SC for self-injection in pharmacies and the importance of training licensed pharmacists to administer injectables. Training gaps and staff preparedness were identified as critical areas for improvement.
• Data Availability Challenges- Data shortages and the need for streamlined processes to share information with government stakeholders were emphasized as barriers to efficient service delivery.
• Tiered Systems for PPMVs- The tiered system for Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) in Nigeria sparked a debate on whether it unleashes market potential or adds complexity.
• Demand Creation Through Behavioral Change Training- The group stressed the need for behavioral change training for community pharmacies and drug shops, particularly in Sierra Leone, to enhance uptake of family planning commodities.

Resources

• High Impact Practices (HIP) Resources- Stay informed with updated guidance and evidence-based practices supporting pharmacy and drug shop interventions in FP/SRH.
• Global Health Supply Chain Project Paper- understand how supply chain innovations are reshaping pharmacy and drug shop contributions to FP/SRH services.

If you have resources or an upcoming event that you would like featured in the HMCoP newsletter or HMCoP website that would be of interest to HMCoP members, please contact FHM-HMCoP@fhm-engage.org.

Next meeting

Join the next HMCoP session on Thursday January 30,2025  which will focus on Markets for Youth in the family planning (FP) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) sectors. Featuring speakers from diverse country contexts, the session will create space for meaningful discussions on the opportunities to increase youth access to FP/SRH products and services.

Zoom Link to join session: https://ow.ly/20H950UrUJX

Banner photo: Issoufou, a pharmacist in Niger's Dosso region. Photo Credit: Juyoung Lee, UNOPS