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. 2021 May 20:45:e57.
doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2021.57. eCollection 2021.

Pharmaceutical procurement among public sector procurers in CARICOM

Charles Preston  1 , Claire King  2 , Maryam Hinds  3 , Francis Burnett  4 , Rian Marie Extavour  5
Affiliations

Pharmaceutical procurement among public sector procurers in CARICOM

Charles Preston et al. Rev Panam Salud Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

Objective: To examine multiple aspects of the medicines in CARICOM procurement markets, including manufacturer headquarters location, regulatory history, and type (innovator versus generic); the proportion of World Health Organization (WHO) essential medicines; and the most expensive medicines procured.

Methods: An analysis of procurement information from selected CARICOM procurers. Four public sector procurement lists were obtained based on public availability or sharing of data from public sector procurers. Analyses were based on parameters available or deduced from these data.

Results: The majority of products come from manufacturers headquartered in North America and Europe (63%-67%). The percentage of medicines procured from generic companies is 60%-87%; and 25%-50% of medicines procured are on the WHO Essential Medicines List. Wide price variations exist in the most expensive medicines purchased.

Conclusions: The analysis identifies vulnerabilities and opportunities in the procurement situation of CARICOM states, particularly related to quality and rational use of medicines. This analysis represents a baseline that governments and other stakeholders can use in the future.

Objetivo: Revisar los múltiples aspectos de los medicamentos en los mercados de compras y los proveedores de CARICOM, como la ubicación de la sede del fabricante, el historial de regulación, el tipo (patentado versus genérico); la proporción de medicamentos esenciales de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS); y los medicamentos comprados más caros.

Métodos: Se analizó información sobre la compra por parte de determinados organismos de CARICOM. La información procedía de cuatro listas de organismos del sector público que realizan las compras, que se consiguieron en función de su disponibilidad pública o de los datos distribuidos por los organismos del sector público que realizan las compras. Los análisis estaban basados en los parámetros disponibles o derivados de estos datos.

Resultados: La mayoría de los productos proviene de fabricantes radicados en América del Norte y Europa (entre 63% y 67%). El porcentaje de medicamentos que se compra de empresas genéricas oscila entre 60% y 87%; y de 25% a 50% de los medicamentos que se compran están en la Lista de Medicamentos Esenciales de la OMS. Hay una gran divergencia de precios entre los medicamentos comprados más caros.

Conclusiones: En el análisis se han encontrado vulnerabilidades y oportunidades con respecto a la situación de las compras de medicamentos de los Estados de CARICOM, especialmente en cuanto a la calidad y al uso racional de los medicamentos. Este análisis representa una línea de base que los gobiernos u otros interesados directos pueden utilizar en el futuro.

Objetivo: Examinar vários aspectos relacionados aos mercados e fornecedores de produtos farmacêuticos da CARICOM, incluindo a localização da sede do laboratório fabricante, histórico regulatório e tipo de produtos (inovadores versus genéricos); proporção de medicamentos adquiridos que constam da relação de medicamentos essenciais da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS); e medicamentos mais caros comprados.

Métodos: Foi realizada uma análise de informação sobre compras feitas por compradores selecionados da CARICOM. Quatro listas de compras do setor público foram obtidas com informação de acesso público ou compartilhada pelos compradores. As análises foram feitas com base em parâmetros disponíveis ou inferidos a partir dos dados.

Resultados: A maioria dos produtos farmacêuticos é proveniente de laboratórios com sedes na América do Norte e Europa (63%–67%). Do total, 60%–87% dos medicamentos adquiridos são de laboratórios de produtos genéricos e 25%–50% constam da relação de medicamentos essenciais da OMS. Existe uma ampla variação nos preços dos medicamentos mais caros comprados.

Conclusões: Foram identificadas fragilidades e oportunidades na situação de compras dos países da CARICOM, em particular relacionadas à qualidade dos produtos e ao uso racional dos medicamentos. Esta análise serve de referência a ser usada futuramente pelos governos e outras partes interessadas.

Keywords: Access to essential medicines and health technologies; Caribbean region; drug industry; economics, pharmaceutical; pharmaceutical trade.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.. Percentage of medicines procured by manufacturer headquarters for CARICOM procurers
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.. Percentage of medicines from manufacturers with at least one prescription medicine approved by a reference regulatory authority
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.. Percentage of medicines procured by manufacturer type
FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 4.. Percentage of procured medicines included in WHO 20th Essential Medicines List
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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