Tanzania, March 27 -- Dar es Salaam. Each time a patient is told that medicines are out of stock at a public health facility, the same questions arise: who is responsible and why does the problem persist despite increased government spending on healthcare?

This concern continues to trouble many citizens, particularly at a time when the government has pledged to improve access to medicines nationwide.

In a recent interview in Dodoma, Chief Government Pharmacist Daudi Msasi offered a detailed explanation of how the health commodities supply chain operates, from dispensary level to the national stage, and where breakdowns can occur.

Supply chain begins at facility level

According to Mr Msasi, the availability of medicines does not start ...