ACTwatch 2009 Supply Chain Survey Results, DRC

In the DRC, as in many low‐income countries, private commercial providers play an important role in the treatment of malaria.  To design effective interventions for improved access to accurate diagnosis and effective malaria treatment, there is a need to understand retailer behaviour and identify the factors that influence their stocking and pricing decisions.  Private commercial retailers are the last link in a chain of manufacturers, importers and wholesalers and their supply sources are likely to have an important influence on the price and quality of malaria treatment that consumers can access.  However, there is limited rigorous evidence on the structure and operation of the distribution chain for antimalarial drugs that serves the retail sector. The ACTwatch Supply Chain Study, one of the ACTwatch project components, aims to address this gap by conducting quantitative and qualitative studies on distribution chains for antimalarials in the ACTwatch countries (the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cambodia, Benin, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia).  Other elements of ACTwatch include Retail Outlet and Household Surveys led by Population Services International (PSI).  This report presents the results of a cross‐sectional survey of antimalarial drug wholesalers conducted in the DRC between January and March 2010.