ACTwatch project, Population Services International
Abstract
In Benin, 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 retailers' 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 (Benin, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda and
Zambia). This report presents the results from qualitative interviews with antimalarial drug wholesalers,
retailers and other key stakeholders conducted in Benin in June 2009. To provide a complete description of
the supply chain for antimalarial drugs, this report should be read in conjunction with the report on the
results of the structured supply chain survey also conducted as part of this study, available at
www.actwatch.info