Report of a Study Tour to the Secretariats of Bulk Purchasing Systems in the Maghreb and Gulf States: 4. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: 4.1 Key Findings

Report of a Study Tour to the Secretariats of Bulk Purchasing Systems in the Maghreb and Gulf States
(1999; 20 pages)

Table of Contents

	ABBREVIATIONS
	ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
	1. JUSTIFICATION
	2. TERMS OF REFERENCE
	3. REPORT OUTLINE
	4. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
		4.1 Key Findings
		4.2 Key Conditions
		4.3 Recommendations
	5. BULK PURCHASING IN THE UNION MAGHREB ARABE (UMA)
		5.1 Historical Background
		5.2 Creation of CMAC
		5.3 Operating Procedures and Regulations
		5.4 Conclusions related to Bulk Purchasing in the UMA
	6. THE BULK PURCHASING SYSTEM IN THE GULF COUNTRIES
		6.1 Introduction
		6.2 The Tender Procedure
		6.3 Results
		6.4 Environment
	7. LESSONS LEARNT
		7.1 General Points
		7.2 Specific Areas
	8. IMPORTANT STAGES DURING THE INSTALLATION OF A BULK PURCHASING SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF ACAME
		8.1 Basic Requirements
		8.2 Establishment of a framework contract
		8.3 Creation of an Executive Secretariat
		8.4 Establishment of a Permanent Tender Committee
		8.5 Preparation of the First Bulk Purchasing Tender
	9. RECOMMENDATIONS
	ANNEXES
		ANNEX 1: PROGRAMME OF VISITS: MOROCCO
		ANNEX 2: PROGRAMME OF VISITS: SAUDI ARABIA
		ANNEX 3: LIST OF PUBLICATIONS CONSULTED

4.1 Key Findings

Reduced costs, improved quality assurance mechanisms, increased local production, harmonised drug registration procedures, enhanced collaboration of pharmaceutical sectors in the countries. All these have been documented and outweigh by far the initial investment.

It has become clear that - in favorable circumstances - the system of bulk purchasing offers important advantages. The economies related to bulk purchasing, the increased service and attention obtained from the suppliers are the most apparent and immediate advantages. The countries taking part in one of the observed operational systems perceive the considerable decrease of the administrative workload and red tape as another improvement, compared to purchasing by individual countries.

The harmonization of registration procedures and other exchanges between countries related to the pharmaceutical sector are some of the direct positive effects of the bulk purchasing initiative.

Local and regional pharmaceutical production has also benefited from the system. The quality assurance of products from bulk tenders and all imported and locally manufactured products increased after the introduction of the bulk purchasing system.