Assessment of coordination frameworks application in the distribution of medical drugs in developing countries

Abstract

The coordination frameworks measure coordination as an index of six dimensions of top management commitment: mutuality, relationships and decision responsiveness. These six dimensions present mainly micro internal factors from the management environment and put little emphasis on market and macro environment dimensions. Although the existing frameworks offer a good platform for measuring and improving understanding of concepts underlying coordination mechanisms, they have limited capacity to analyze coordination interactions within the health sector, especially in developing countries like Uganda. Using the business management environment framework, this paper surveys the literature for cases on supply and distribution of Artermisinin-based Combination Therapies for malaria. The findings serve as a platform to argue for revisiting coordination dimensions in view of conditions that include a resurgent market and macro environment in developing countries. The insight raises implications for extending coordination frameworks that are geographically focused, and specific to ACTs. It may influence policy direction in this regard and thus contribute to the body of knowledge.