Through implementation of its mission which is ‘To make available at all times medicines and medical supplies of acceptable quality at affordable prices to all Tanzanians’, Medical Stores Department (MSD) through its six years Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP II) 2014-2020 which was reviewed in 2017, established Community Medical shops – MSD Community Outlets (MCO’s).

Strategically, MCO’s are planned to expand MSD functionality in a bid to improve health services delivery and enhance accessibility of medicines and medical supplies closer to people in the community. The MCO’s offer variety of medicines through both retail and whole sales at the cost the community can afford.

Currently MSD has 5 MCOs located strategically at, New Forest area in Mbeya adjacent to Mbeya Regional Referral Hospital, Mount Meru Hospital in Arusha, Chato District Hospital in Geita, Ruangwa District Hospital in Lindi and Mpanda District Hospital in Katavi.

The Outlets professionally operate seven days a week offering both generic and branded medicines which are registered and approved by Tanzania Medicine & Medical Devices Authority (TMDA). Members of the National Health Insurance Fund enjoy super services at these shops. On top of this, MCO’s use revolving fund generating cash to meet operational costs. MCO’s are not profit generating points but purely service providers.