Resilience of health commodity supply during the COVID-19 pandemic: the contribution of the Jazia prime Vendor System

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected health commodities due to disrupted supply chains, increased demand, and price increases. Jazia Prime Vendor System (Jazia PVS) is a Public Private Partnership for procuring health commodities when not available at Medical Stores Department (MSD). The system has been operational since 2018. Objective(s) This study highlights the resilience and contribution of Jazia PVS during the pandemic in mitigating health supply challenges including price increases. Methodology: Routine data from regional monitoring of the Jazia PVS were analyzed between March 2020 and June 2021. Prices of selected health products were compared with baseline prices. Data were collected using monitoring checklists and secondary information from 7 (27%) regions and 5 (37%) contracted regional vendors. Analysis used Microsoft office excel. Result(s) Despite the spike in demand, PVS managed to supply commodities to public health facilities, complementing MSD during the pandemic. Facilities recorded availability of medicines of 75% and 85% in April 2020 and April 2021, respectively. Initially, Jazia PVS continued supply of health commodities at original contract prices. As stock depleted and demand increased, vendors and their clients (regions) initiated market price reviews and contract negotiation leading to price adaption. Price increase of 244.83% in June 2020 for examination gloves reduced to 201.72% in June 2021. The baseline price increase for surgical gloves of 122.22% reduced to 77.78%. Paracetamol price increase of 51.72% reduced to 37.93%. The price for azithromycin tablets increased by 69.23% up to June 2021. Multivitamins tablets increased by 157.14%. Conclusion(s) The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health supply chains. The complementary Jazia PVS demonstrated resilience and was able to mitigate supply challenges. Vendors and clients agreed to amend commodities prices as a measure to maintain operations and to sustain supply of health commodities. The system proved flexibility in response to a public health and economic crisis.