USAID MTaPS at the International Society of Pharmacovigilance Africa Chapter Meeting 2024
Conference website: https://isopafrica.com/
The African Chapter of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP) was held in Kampala, Uganda, from July 22-24, 2024. The conference brought together over 250 pharmacovigilance experts, regulators, and industry professionals to discuss opportunities and challenges in enhancing patient safety in Africa. The theme was “Advancing Pharmacovigilance Practice in Africa: Moving from Data Collection to Data-Driven Decision Making,” with sessions covering key topics such as:
- Signal management and risk communication
- Regulatory harmonization for pharmacovigilance
- Digital health and patient engagement in pharmacovigilance
- Pharmacovigilance from a manufacturer’s perspective
- Impact of the African genetic background on adverse events and future pharmacovigilance
- Active monitoring of vaccines and medicines
Conference Objectives:
- Exchange knowledge on current pharmacovigilance issues in Africa
- Discuss strategies to promote pharmacovigilance practices on the continent
- Create networking opportunities for professionals and experts in pharmacovigilance
The event featured 21 oral presentations and 40 poster abstracts. USAID MTaPS was actively involved, presenting two abstracts, facilitating sessions, and presenting five posters showcasing various pharmacovigilance system strengthening activities in African countries such as Rwanda, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Senegal. MTaPS also sponsored pharmacy students from Ugandan schools to participate and network.
Oral Presentations:
- Strengthening the Adverse Events Following Immunization System for COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring and Beyond: A Case of Tanzania
Presented by Mr. Damas Matiko from the Tanzanian Medicines and Medical Device Authority
- Pharmacovigilance Monitoring System PViMS (OpenRIMS-PV) – A Digital Tool to Enhance Decision-Making for Active and Passive Patient Safety Monitoring
Presented by Mr. Dean Putzier from MTaPS
Poster Presentations:
Improving the Maturity Level of the Pharmacovigilance System of Cameroon Using the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT)
Medicines Safety and Strengthening Pharmacovigilance in Senegal: Improving Adverse Drug Event Reporting by Involving the Bajenu Gox
Strengthening Pharmacovigilance in Rwanda: Introducing PViMS for Spontaneous Reporting of Adverse Drug Effects
Implementing an Active Surveillance Study of Patients Treated with a Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD) Regimen for HIV in Mozambique
Pharmacovigilance System Strengthening Approaches of MTaPS and Results Obtained at the Regulatory Authorities of African Countries
MTaPS received the best poster award for its outstanding content and design, standing first in the competition.
Key Highlights:
Session Facilitation: Kate Kikule, MTaPS Regulatory System Strengthening Lead, moderated a session.
Award Presentation: MTaPS was awarded for the best posters by the President of ISoP.
Student Sponsorship: MTaPS sponsored aspiring pharmacy students from Uganda to attend the conference.
Acknowledgments:
The posters and oral presentations were prepared by the MTaPS pharmacovigilance team, including Hafner Tamara, Muiva Cecilia, Weinstein Elizabeth, and reviewed by the quality review team led by Lauren Herzog. The Ugandan MTaPS team printed and displayed the materials.
USAID/MTaPS’s active participation highlights its commitment to strengthening pharmacovigilance systems across Africa, ensuring better patient safety and healthcare outcomes.