(1998; 49 pages) [French] [Spanish]
4.3 Role of the “third sector”
NGOs play an important role in the financing and provision of health services in many countries. The share of health services and health financing provided through the private not-for-profit health sector varies considerably among countries, but in low-income countries can be up to 50% of curative services [5, 14]. In addition, India (Community Development Medicinal Unit), Kenya (MEDS), Nepal, Nigeria (CHANPHARM) and Uganda (Joint Medical Stores) are among the countries in which NGOs operate essential drugs supply services.
Aside from NGOs which provide health care services and those operating essential drugs supply agencies, there are several other types of non-commercial “third sector” organizations which play an important role in many countries. Table 13 lists some of the typical third sector organizations in a country.
Consumer groups act as watchdog organizations and often support national drug policies and campaigns on rational drug use. Where advertising controls are subject to self-regulation by industry, such groups can help to oversee the effectiveness of self regulation.
Some third sector organizations are involved in setting product or professional standards. The United States Pharmacopeia, for example, is a private, not-for-profit organization which publishes the quality standards frequently cited in international trade (“USP”).
The role of the third sector needs to be further explored, since it provides an independent and potentially quite efficient complement to government involvement in specific areas of the pharmaceutical sector.
Table 13. Examples of “third sector” organizations
Service delivery organizations
Professional associations (setting and enforcing professional standards)