Abstract:
Worldwide, public procurement (PP) has become an issue of public attention and
debate, and has been subjected to reforms, restructuring, rules and regulations. As the demand
for medicines and health supplies reflect changes in population health and environmental
conditions, so flexibility and responsiveness in procurement practices to aspirations, expectations
and needs of the target society is needed.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the public procurement practice and efficiency of
Pharmaceuticals Fund and Supply Agency (PFSA) in accordance with PP guidelines.
Materials and methods: A cross sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative
research methods was used. Structured self administered questionnaire, document review using
observational checklist and in-depth interview were used for data collection. Sixty one workers
in PFSA and Public Procurement Agency (PPA) who are directly involved in public procurement
practices and regulations were selected for quantitative study and 8 top and mid level managers
in both agencies were involved in the qualitative in depth interview. Document review was done
on 30% of one year procurement documents at PFSA. Data were analyzed using SPSS version
21.0. For prediction analysis, the study used logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) with 95%
confidence interval (CI). Qualitative data were analyzed based on thematic content analysis.
Results: The odds of pharmaceutical procurement efficiency was 16.9 times more likely for high
financial thresholds than low financial thresholds AOR (95% CI) =16.9, (CI=3.3, 86.8).
Considering nature of pharmaceuticals by the regulation showed 6 times more likely to bring
efficient pharmaceutical procurement practices as compared with not considering their nature
AOR (95% CI) =6, (CI=1.2, 31) but approved procurement methods didn’t have significant
association with procurement efficiency.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Low financial thresholds and lack of considerations for
pharmaceuticals nature in the PPA guidelines were independent predictors for public
pharmaceuticals procurement efficiency. A comprehensive and sector-specific procurement
manual having different threshold matrix should be introduced and updated regularly.
