The smuggling of health goods is a critical issue that impacts the efficacy of health services, particularly in developing countries. In Iran, this problem is compounded by a range of challenges that hinder effective prevention efforts. This study aims to dissect these challenges through in-depth qualitative research, shedding light on the intricacies involved in anti-smuggling policy creation, implementation, and monitoring.
Methodology
To explore the challenges associated with preventing health goods smuggling in Iran, researchers conducted face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with 30 key informants and stakeholders. These participants were purposefully selected based on their roles in detecting, preventing, and combating smuggling. The interviews were analyzed thematically, employing an inductive approach to generate codes that were then categorized into main themes and sub-themes. The qualitative data analysis software Maxqda 11 facilitated the coding, analysis, and management of the data.
Key Findings
The study revealed three primary themes regarding the challenges in preventing health goods smuggling. Firstly, the development of anti-smuggling policies was found to be inefficient, with many policies failing to reach the agenda. Secondly, the implementation of these policies was undermined by issues related to actors, resources, and instruments, as well as a lack of guarantees for implementation. Lastly, monitoring and evaluation procedures were found to be inadequate, with significant shortcomings in surveyor roles and practices.
Actionable Insights
– Developing more efficient and actionable anti-smuggling policies can significantly reduce smuggling activities.
– Ensuring adequate resources and proper instruments for policy implementation is critical for effective prevention.
– Enhancing the roles and training of surveyors can improve monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
In conclusion, the prevention of smuggling health goods in Iran is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a robust approach to policy-making, regulatory frameworks, and facilitation functions. Addressing these challenges is essential for combating smuggling, counterfeiting, and corruption in the health sector.
Original Article: BMC Public Health. 2024 Jun 11;24(1):1564. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-18637-0.
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