Research Snapshot: Pharmaceutical supply chains in conflict-affected Mali

The World Health Organisation highlights the availability and ‘rational use’ of medicines as a major global health challenge. Rational use refers to correct prescription and dispensation of medicines, as well as patients taking them as prescribed. Conflicts, such as that affecting Mali since 2012, disrupt the pharmaceutical sector, and create additional barriers to drug access and rational use. Improving availability and access to drugs, and rational use, requires understanding of challenges and barriers.

This study analysed the pharmaceutical supply chain, and use of essential medicines, in conflict-affected Mali. It found multiple barriers to availability, access, and ‘rational use’ of medicines, driven by staff shortages, limited training and supervision, insecurity, and delayed access to care, with a wide reliance on the informal sector to supply medications. Strengthening training, oversight, access to guidelines, and community awareness, alongside innovations like telemedicine, is essential to improve medicine availability and rational use and improve the quality and safety of medicines. Follow-up work is underway in collaboration with Mali’s health authorities to advance rational and safe medicine use through various strategies.

This snapshot contains key messages, findings, implications for humanitarian policymakers and practitioners and recommendations for further research.