TANZANIA, Nov. 10 -- THE Prime Ministers directive requiring security organs to conduct monthly investigations into the procurement, distribution and use of medicines in public health facilities raises an important accountability issue: Medicines purchased with taxpayers money must reach the patients for whom they are intended.

The directive addresses a troubling contradiction. While official figures indicate medicine availability of 97 per cent in district and regional hospitals and 96 per cent in health centres and dispensaries, patients continue to complain of being referred to private pharmacies to purchase essential medicines.

This discrepancy raises serious questions about transparency, supervision and the management of public res...