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Methods for studying private sector supply of public health products in developing countries: a conceptual framework and review

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  • Conteh, Lesong
  • Hanson, Kara

Abstract

The private sector is an important supplier of public health products (PHPs) in developing countries. Although there are concerns about the quality and affordability of these products, private providers also offer possibilities for expanding access to key commodities. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for understanding the public health implications of private sales of PHPs. It reviews methods for studying these sales, together with their advantages and shortcomings. Ten methods are identified which can be used for studying the behaviour of providers and consumers. The effects of seasonal variation are discussed, together with the challenges of creating a sampling frame and studying illicit behaviour. We conclude that relatively little is known about the sales of PHPs, that more is known about contraceptives and drugs than about the newer products, and that the demand side of the market has been studied in greater depth than the behaviour of suppliers. The existing toolbox is biased towards formal providers, and thus, probably towards understanding the provision of PHPs to those who are better off. Methods for studying the supply of PHPs in outlets used by poor people is a priority area for further methodological development.

Suggested Citation

  • Conteh, Lesong & Hanson, Kara, 2003. "Methods for studying private sector supply of public health products in developing countries: a conceptual framework and review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(7), pages 1147-1161, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:57:y:2003:i:7:p:1147-1161
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sharma, Suneeta & Dayaratna, Varuni, 2005. "Creating conditions for greater private sector participation in achieving contraceptive security," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(3), pages 347-357, March.
    2. Luke Harman & Catherine Goodman & Andrew Dorward, 2018. "The impact of a mosquito net voucher subsidy programme on incremental ownership: The case of the Tanzania National Voucher Scheme," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(3), pages 480-492, March.
    3. Cross, Jamie & MacGregor, Hayley Nan, 2010. "Knowledge, legitimacy and economic practice in informal markets for medicine: A critical review of research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(9), pages 1593-1600, November.
    4. Kikumbih, Nassor & Hanson, Kara & Mills, Anne & Mponda, Hadji & Schellenberg, Joanna Armstrong, 2005. "The economics of social marketing: the case of mosquito nets in Tanzania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(2), pages 369-381, January.
    5. Catherine Goodman & S. Patrick Kachur & Salim Abdulla & Peter Bloland & Anne Mills, 2009. "Concentration and drug prices in the retail market for malaria treatment in rural Tanzania," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(6), pages 727-742, June.

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