Systemic challenges in the supply and distribution of medicines in conflict-affected areas of Mali

A qualitative study

Bibliographic Data

ID19530073
AuthorsMohamed Ali Ag Ahmed (0000-0001-9374-871X, Université de Moncton, corresponding author), Mama Konta (Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako), Issa Coulibaly (0009-0004-6844-8634, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako), Djénéba Diarra (Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako), Hassane Alami (0000-0002-5461-7693, Université de Montréal), Karina Kielmann (0000-0001-5519-1658, Queen Margaret University), Raffaella Ravinetto (0000-0001-7765-2443, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine)
Year2026
Volume19
Issue1
Pages2676369-2676369
Publication date2026-12-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Health Action (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1654-9716 • E-ISSN: 1654-9880
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/16549716.2026.2676369
PMID42233603
OpenAlexW7163394983
LanguageEN
References cited35

BACKGROUND: The conflicts that have been ongoing for over a decade in different Sahel countries, including Mali, have a negative impact on the supply and distribution of medicines. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify and analyze the key contextual challenges affecting the supply and distribution of medicines in conflict-affected areas in Mali. METHODS: This study adopts a qualitative study design. First, we conducted 28 interviews with key stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector in the Mopti and Bamako areas. Such key stakeholders included health professionals, community association members, health authorities, and humanitarian stakeholders. Second, we conducted a thematic analysis, using NVivo software for retrieving and coding the qualitative data. RESULTS: The key contextual factors affecting the supply and distribution of medicines in the study area have been organized under four interlinked themes: (1) insecurity and instability, disrupting transport routes and supply chains; (2) systemic and market dysfunctions, generating price instability and recurrent shortages; (3) technical and infrastructural weaknesses, compromising adequate storage conditions; and (4) insufficient coordination and collaboration among the different stakeholders, which further destabilizes the already fragile pharmaceutical supply system. Together, these factors have considerably weakened the pharmaceutical supply chain's capacity to ensure continuous and equitable access to quality-assured medicines. CONCLUSION: Insecurity, market disruptions, weak infrastructure, and insufficient coordination severely undermine the supply and distribution of essential medicines in the conflict-affected areas of Mali. Restoring equitable access requires a strong coordination across public, private, and humanitarian actors, sustained investment in logistics and information systems, and the strengthening of regulatory oversight during and after the conflict

Access to medicines · Developing country · Distribution (mathematics) · Essential medicines · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Supply chain · Thematic analysis · Global Health and Surgery · Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy · Pharmaceutical Quality and Counterfeiting