How to establish a successful revolving drug fund: the experience of Khartoum state in the Sudan
Gamal Khalafalla Mohamed Ali
Volume 87, Number 2, February 2009, 139-142
Table 1. Summary of 10 lessons learned from the RDF experience in Khartoum state, the Sudan
| Elements | Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Substantial investments | • helped the RDF to absorb devaluation loss |
| • RDF maturing to be smoothly handed over | ||
| 2 | Gradual implementatio | • allowed time for necessary preparation |
| • testing of drug supply and cash collection systems | ||
| • proper training of staff | ||
| 3 | Management style | • adopting transparency |
| • flexible organization structure | ||
| • business-oriented management | ||
| • joint style between national Ministry of Health and expatriate Save the Children (United Kingdom) staff | ||
| 4 | Political commitment | • tax and import duty exemption |
| • independent account | ||
| • import licence exemption | ||
| • monopoly | ||
| 5 | Currency swap agreement | • safeguards against devaluation |
| • permits importation of low cost and quality medicines | ||
| • high mark-up on cost covers the RDF operating expenses while keeping retail price lower | ||
| 6 | Price revision | • protecting the RDF against devaluation |
| • keep pace with market price | ||
| • maintain users ability to pay | ||
| 7 | Community acceptance | • increases RDF turnover |
| • permits replenishment of exhausted stocks | ||
| • avoids funds being tied-up | ||
| • revenue available to cover RDF operating expenses | ||
| 8 | Focus on common diseases | • shortlist for treatment of common diseases |
| • avoid the wastage of limited resources | ||
| • increases coverage by purchasing big quantities | ||
| 9 | Reliable supply system | • regular availability of medicines |
| • low cost medicines | ||
| • maximizing of RDF sales | ||
| • allows the RDF to make medicines regularly available | ||
| 10 | Supervision | • prohibiting medicine leakage |
| • 100% cash collection rates | ||
| • reduces losses due to expiration and deterioration of medicines |
RDF, revolving drug fund.