MSD Procures Medicines, Medical Supplies and Laboratory Reagents on behalf of Public Health Facilities. It also procures Vertical Programs health commodities, as well as Private Health Facilities approved by the Ministry of Health. As a core business, Procurement procedures as laid under the Public Procurement Act  of 2011 as amended in 2016. MSD is the largest importer of which 80% of medicines, 90% of medical supplies and 100% laboratory supplies are imported from different countries across the world.

From 2017, MSD procures its medicines and medical supplies direct from manufacturers instead of suppliers to ensure the improvement in availability of medicines as well as lowering the medicine prices by half and quarter to some medicines of which most prices were before.

MSD continues to collaborate with private sector to open local manufacturing industries as provided in Public Private Partnership Act, 2010. MSD envisages that this will enable the country at large to source essential medicines and medical supplies locally and therefore reduce importation costs and lead-time as well as storage costs.

In term of quality, MSD procures Medicines, Medical Supplies and Laboratory Reagent that have been approved or fully registered with Tanzania Medicine and Drugs Authority (TMDA). The registration process involves evaluation of products for quality, safety and effectiveness. Each new product from the Manufacturer or supplier has to be approved and registered by the TMDA. Products evaluation looks into all parameters necessary to ensure product’s quality, safety, efficacy and stability to ascertain prescribed shelf life. Packaging and labeling is also another area that is critically evaluated.