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Using remote tracking technologies to audit and understand medicine theft

Author

Listed:
  • Ryan Jablonski
  • Brigitte Seim
  • Mariana Carvalho Barbosa
  • Clark Gibson

Abstract

Medicine theft is a leading cause of inadequate healthcare. Audits of public health supply chains suggest that up to a third of medicines go missing in low-income countries, disproportionately affecting those facing greater health risks and poverty. Despite much investment, policy-makers struggle to identify and prevent theft due to the opaque and highly distributed supply chain in most low-capacity health systems. We propose a technology-based audit tool—a 'remote tracking audit'—to address these challenges and to provide new insight into the causes and consequences of theft.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryan Jablonski & Brigitte Seim & Mariana Carvalho Barbosa & Clark Gibson, 2023. "Using remote tracking technologies to audit and understand medicine theft," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2023-126, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2023-126
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fitzpatrick, Anne, 2022. "The impact of public health sector stockouts on private sector prices and access to healthcare: Evidence from the anti-malarial drug market," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    2. Zamboni, Yves & Litschig, Stephan, 2018. "Audit risk and rent extraction: Evidence from a randomized evaluation in Brazil," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 133-149.
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