Setting the pace for affordability of quality medicines
Med source Group Limited Kenya, was launched on 11th October 2018 at Villa Rosa Kempinsky Hotel in Westlands. This is the first organization of its kind in Kenya – ‘a group purchasing organization’ dedicated to improve the availability and affordability of quality medicines and related supplies for the people of Kenya as well as assist members to build sustainable businesses and provide services they can use to grow and prosper. MedSource Group leverages the combined purchasing power of it’s members to negotiate favorable contract pricing from suppliers and offers members access to a broad catalogue of quality products from prequalified distributors and manufacturers.
This launch brought together different leaders from the pharmaceutical industry representing both public and private sector who saluted the entrance of Medsource group into the market, as a much needed solution to various problems ailing the health sector. Dr. Fred Siyoi, Chief Pharmacist and registrar -Pharmacy and poisons Board, welcomed Medsource group to the market. He reiterated that “The presence of Medsource group will contribute to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage through reducing the cost of medication. The government welcomes the important role played by all health stakeholders and Medsource Group’s role cannot be overemphasized.
According to the sustainable development goals 2030 set by the United Nations, goal 3 states that; ensure healthy lives and promote well being of all at all times. Many nations worldwide are making efforts to achieve this for example in Kenya this falls under the big four agenda set by his excellency president Uhuru Kenyatta for his second term. Affordability of quality medicine is one of the challenges faced towards enhancing access to affordable and quality care. “Even as the world is making great strides at improving health outcomes, even in low – resource countries, access to medicines continues to be a challenge. MedSource Group also presents an innovative way for Management Science for Health, to create private – sector opportunities to help deliver quality health services and products to more people. We are happy to add this novel approach to the range of other work that we have done over the years and we hope this venture in Kenya is just the beginning of similar work throughout Africa” Marian W. Wentworth, CEO Management Science for Health.
“The MedSource Group platform will be valuable to stakeholders such as pharmacies, hospitals/clinics, distributors, manufacturers and especially patients. Our main focus is and will always be to improve accessibility and availability of affordable, quality medicines and laboratory and health supplies for healthcare providers and people from all walks of life.” Dr. Douglas Keene, MedSource Group Chairman and Management Science for Health vice president for the pharmaceuticals and health.
Dr. Peter Kamunyo, Medsource Group CEO, expressed his optimism that the organization will fill the gaps in the availability and affordability of quality assured life- saving medicines, including those used to manage non – communicable diseases. “Many families are struggling to continuously provide medication, especially to handle non – communicable diseases such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes among others. Through Medsource Group, healthcare providers will be able to procure the medicines their clients need at more affordable prices.” Dr. Peter Kamunyo, Medsource Group CEO.
The organization’s membership is open to pharmacies of all sizes, hospitals & hospital groups, institutions, in-house clinics, dispensaries, clinical laboratories, and health networks. Based in Nairobi, it is a fully owned subsidiary of Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global nonprofit organization based in the United States.
Key membership benefits, in addition to the MedSource electronic platform to access price agreements, order and pay for their quality-assured medical supplies directly to the distributors includes; training support for business skills, pharmacy practices, and inventory management, facilitating access to credit, IT solutions and data analytics for improved integration and tracking of business transactions including purchasing and inventory management.