Medical Stores Department

Medical Stores Department (MSD) is an autonomous department operating under the Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania. It was established under the Medical Stores Department Act No. 13 of 1993, which was subsequently amended by the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No. 4 of 2021.

The 2021 amendment granted MSD corporate status, including perpetual succession and a common seal, and empowered it to perform all acts that may legally be performed by a corporate body, as provided under Section 15 of the Act.

The Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Act, 2024 further amended the Act to authorize MSD to undertake investments, subject to directives issued by the Treasury Registrar from time to time.

As an autonomous department, MSD is responsible for developing, maintaining and managing an efficient and cost-effective system for the production, procurement, storage and distribution of approved medicines and medical supplies required by public health facilities across the country.

Governance and Management

The Board of Trustees is the highest decision-making body responsible for governing MSD and providing strategic direction on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The Board comprises nine (9) members appointed for a three-year term. The Chairperson is appointed by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, while the remaining eight (8) members are appointed by the Minister responsible for health. The Director General serves as the Secretary to the Board but does not have voting rights.

To effectively discharge its responsibilities, the Board operates through three committees:

• Audit and Risk Management Committee
• Technical Services Committee
• Finance and Administration Committee

The Board delegates the day-to-day management of the Department to the Director General, who is appointed by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The administrative functions and operations of MSD are carried out through the Executive Management Team (EMT). The EMT comprises the Director General, Director of Administration and Human Resources, Director of Finance, Director of Logistics and Operations, Director of Procurement, and Director of Information and Communication Technology. The Chief Legal Counsel serves as Secretary to the EMT.

Zonal Operations

To support efficient and timely distribution of health commodities across the country, MSD operates through ten zonal stores located in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Iringa, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Tabora, Dodoma, Tanga, Mtwara and Kagera.

Our Mission
To provide quality and reliable health commodities accessible to health facilities within and outside Tanzania borders

Our Vision
Centre of excellence for health commodities supply chain in Africa.