ORGANIZATION
USAID
YEAR PUBLISHED
2008
DESCRIPTION
Networks of private health providers are a promising mechanism to expand the supply of and increased demand for reproductive health and family planning products and services: they achieve economies of scale in training, procurement, and marketing; allow for rapid expansion to increase coverage; increase financial access by lowering prices for targeted consumers; and ensure quality and brand recognition.
Networks are an affiliation of health service providers (“members”) grouped together in an umbrella organization (“parent”). Networks are based on a relationship of mutual benefit and obligation between the parent and members, defined according to market conditions and health and financial objectives. As such, their structure and operation varies. Generally, networks can be categorized as social franchises, not-for-profit, or commercial networks. Pharmacy networks also are becoming more prevalent and are useful in meeting the demand for non-clinical family planning methods and addressing the reproductive health needs of youth.