THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN SUDAN IS CHARACTERISED BY HEAVY RELIANCE ON CHARGING USERS AT THE POINT OF ACCESS

Abstract

The strategy of price liberalisation and privatisation had been implemented in Sudan over the last
decade, and has had a positive result on government deficit. The investment law approved recently has
good statements and rules on the above strategy in particular to pharmacy regulations. Under the
pressure of the new privatisation policy, the government introduced radical changes in the pharmacy
regulations. To improve the effectiveness of the public pharmacy, resources should be switched towards
areas of need, reducing inequalities and promoting better health conditions. Medicines are financed
either through cost sharing or full private. The role of the private services is significant. A review of
reform of financing medicines in Sudan is given in this article. Also, it highlights the current drug supply
system in the public sector, which is currently responsibility of the Central Medical Supplies Public
Corporation (CMS). In Sudan, the researchers did not identify any rigorous evaluations or quantitative
studies about the impact of drug regulations on the quality of medicines and how to protect public health
against counterfeit or low quality medicines, although it is practically possible. However, the regulations
must be continually evaluated to ensure the public health is protected against by marketing high quality
medicines rather than commercial interests, and the drug companies are held accountable for their
conducts.