Methods

This is the strategy we employ to meet our project goals.

• Methods
• Study Designs

ACTwatch measures which anti-malarials are available, where they are available and at what price and who they are used by. These indicators are measured over time and across countries through three study components:outlet surveys, supply chain studies and household surveys. Nationally representative outlet surveys examine the market share of different anti-malarials passing through public facilities and private retail outlets. Supply chain research provides a picture of the supply chain serving drug outlets, and measures mark-ups at each supply chain level. On the demand side, nationally representative household surveys capture treatment seeking patterns and use of anti-malarial drugs, as well as respondent knowledge of anti-malarials in the seven countries.

The collection and processing of these data will provide sound evidence for country-specific policy recommendations. The use of standardized indicators allow for broad trends to be identified and global policy recommendations to be made as well. The implementation of these recommendations into policy and action by study countries will constitute success for the ACTwatch project..

ACTwatch will achieve its goal through three primary objectives which are to provide policy makers with evidence and actionable recommendations in the following areas:

Service delivery readiness and functioning
Levels and trends in the availability, price, quality, volume, retailer perceptions, and knowledge of antimalarial drugs at different service delivery points;

Supply chain
The components of the consumer price of antimalarials, as well as current policy influences on the market and, specifically, on mark-ups from import to outlet; and

Consumer behavior
Consumer treatment-seeking behavior, and volumes of specific antimalarials consumed, to support the development and monitoring of policies and other interventions to increase rates of effective malaria treatment.