title: Reforms: a quest for efficiency or an opportunity for vested interests'? A case study of pharmaceutical policy reforms in Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regulation of the pharmaceutical sector is a challenging task for most governments in the developing countries. In Tanzania, this task falls under the Food and Drugs Authority and the Pharmacy Council. In 2010, the Pharmacy Council spearheaded policy reforms in the pharmaceutical sector aimed at taking over the control of the regulation of the business of pharmacy from the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority. This study provides a critical analysis of these reforms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study employed a qualitative case-study design. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and document reviews. Data was analyzed thematically using a policy triangle framework. The analysis was done manually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reforms adopted an incremental model of public policy-making and the process was characterized by lobbying for political support, negotiations and bargaining between the interest groups. These negotiations were largely centred on vested interests and not on the impact of the reforms on the efficiency of pharmaceutical regulations in the country. Stakeholders from the micro and meso levels were minimally involved in the policy reforms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent pharmaceutical regulation reforms in Tanzania were overshadowed by vested interests, displacing a critical analysis of optimal policy options that have the potential to increase efficiency in the regulation of the business of pharmacy. Politics influenced decision-making at different levels of the reform process.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65013, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. pax_amani@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Amani Thomas
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Eliangiringa Amos
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kaale
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Risha
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017144:Focus Groups; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007885:Legislation, Pharmacy; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D011640:Public Policy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013636:Tanzania