The role of the private sector in noncommunicable disease prevention and management in low- and middle-income countries: a series of systematic reviews and thematic syntheses

Purpose: Conduct six systematic reviews investigating for-profit private sector roles in NCD prevention and management in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through our a priori framework’s pillars. Methods: Six systematic reviews and thematic syntheses were performed between March-August 2021, Six databases, websites of relevant organizations, and references lists of included studies were comprehensively searched. Studies published in English from 2000 onwards involving the pillar of interest, for-profit private sector, NCD prevention/management, and LMIC context were included. Results were synthesized using an inductive thematic synthesis approach. Results: Ultimately, 25 articles were included in the PPP review, 33 in Governance and Policy, 22 in Healthcare Provision, 15 in Innovation, 14 in Knowledge Educator, and 42 in Investment and Finance. The following themes emerged: PPPs (coordination; financial resources; provision; health promotion; capacity building; innovation; policy); Governance/Policy (lobbying; industry perception; regulation); Healthcare Provision (diagnosis/treatment; infrastructure; availability/accessibility/affordability); Innovation (product innovation; process innovation; marketing innovation; research; innovation dissemination); Knowledge Educator (training; health promotion; industry framework/guideline formation); Investment and Finance (treatment cost; regulation; private insurance; subsidization; direct investment; collaborative financing; innovative financing; research). Conclusion: These findings will be instrumental for LMICs considering private sector engagement. Potential conflicts of interest must be considered when implementing private sector involvement.