The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has launched a special database for the collection and processing of information on medicines and medical supplies from various manufacturers and suppliers around the world, where the system will facilitate the acquisition and purchase of health products from member countries.

The launch took place on 14/05/2024 in Dar es Salaam, and was witnessed by the Medicines Depots of SADC countries, as well as various leaders of the Health Sector of the community, who met for two days in the city.

Speaking during the launch ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. John Jingu said that through the system, member countries will be able to obtain detailed information on medicines and medical supplies such as where they are available or manufactured, prices, as well as knowing the expiry date of the relevant products,.

He added that the move helps achieve the goal of the SADC Heads of State to have a joint procurement system for health products because when they buy together, it reduces costs, also increases the power of persuasion and attracts investors to open pharmaceutical and medical equipment factories within SADC countries.

“This system is an important tool in the health sector to promote cooperation among SADC countries in the health of our people, so medicines and medical equipment are important in protecting human health,” said Dr. Jingu.

For his part, the representative of the SADC secretariat Calicious Tutalife said that through the system, SADC will be able to exchange important information, especially on joint procurement and make decisions on which products to buy in order to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

He also said that they will use the system to obtain quality and affordable products through the information they will get from the system and develop a plan that they will manage.

And the Director General of the Tanzania Drug Depot, Tukai Mavere, said that the data will be used to store information on health products, their country of origin, their quality, their cost, which will help people know how different countries get their products and prices.

However, he said that to ensure efficiency, a special joint unit will be created, which will have a management board from member countries, as the role is international.

He added that currently MSD in collaboration with the SADC Secretariat will review the required health products, and will look at laws, guidelines, as well as obtain all government approvals for member countries, as they are important areas in implementing joint procurement.

It will be recalled that Tanzania is the country chosen by SADC to carry out the role of Joint Procurement of medicines and medical equipment for all SADC countries through MSD, due to Tanzania being seen to be doing well in that area.