Brian Elliott,

Executive Director

International MeTA Secretariat

19th May 2009

Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) Overview and lessons learned in pilot countries

MeTA 08/04/2009 1

What is MeTA?

An approach designed to support country efforts to increase access to medicines

Improve information and increase transparency on price, quality, availability and promotion

A multi-stakeholder approach to support stronger governance and more accountability

International & national – peer pressure, share learning and work at both ends of supply chain

MeTA Principles

Commitment to improving health Comprehensive approach to health systems,

including pharmaceuticals Transparency and accountability can:

– Improve system performance– Build confidence– Support equity and social justice

Multi-stakeholder approach needed

MeTa Country commitments

Establish an effective multi-stakeholder forum

Progressive disclosure of data in four areas

Quality Regulatory, sourcing, quality assurance, vigilance

Availability Supply chain operations, equitable access

Price Supplier, wholesaler, retailer, import taxes, duties, affordability

Promotion Objective information,rational use, ethical advertising and promotion

MeTA Pilot Countries

MeTA Pilot objectives

Add value to country ATM efforts through transparency and multi-stakeholder working

Road test the MeTA approach in different country settings

Engage stakeholders at country and int’l levels

Provide a model for eventual roll out in further countries

MeTA implementation process

Stakeholders engaged

MeTA Council formed

MeTA Secretariat formed

Pre-MoU work done

MoU signed

Workstarted

GHANA

JORDAN

KYRGYZSTAN

PERU

PHILIPPINES

UGANDA

ZAMBIA

MIAG

Specific Success or Milestone

GHANA JORDAN KYRGYZSTAN PERU PHILIPPINES UGANDA ZAMBIA

Establishment of the physical

secretariat

Full support of

government and private

sector

Identifying the stakeholders and approval of the

work plan

Sign MoU because it is

final point

Successful forums and

especially the CSO Forum in

Jan 2009

Successful launch and

the receiving of funds

Successful launch and

media interest

8

19 05 /2009MeTA 9

Key Challenges to MeTA implementation

Stakeholder engagement and maintaining interest Insufficient legislation/regulation and excessive

bureaucracy Difficulties in extracting information Lack of tools for accessing information

Lessons learned in countries Country contexts are varied. MeTA needs to be country-led to succeed, so

local conditions determine the timetable of the workplan and roll-out. It takes time to get the right people at the table and develop a working

relationship between stakeholders with varied and sometimes conflicting interests.

Consensus builds with a constant exchange of views. Commitment of the stakeholders is key to a successful process. Building trust is an essential part of the initiative. Some problems in the medicines supply chain require tough political action

to solve. Starting work on less controversial issues is key. Systems and structures for disclosing data often do not exist in countries

and may have to be created.

Key priorities for MeTA Progressive disclosure of data about medicines Developing and testing a new multi-stakeholder approach

including identifying and trying to fill gaps in the MeTA Councils; preparing stakeholders for meaningful engagement

Ensuring the strong engagement of the private sector at country and international level

Increasing the voice of patients and consumers which involves strengthening capacity and opportunity for their engagement

Documenting innovation, change and good practice across the programme.

10/04/23MeTA 12

Congratulations to Jordan on the successful establishment of MeTA and every good wish for the success of the programme.

International Secretariat, info@metasecretariat.org www.MedicinesTransparency.org