USAID MTaPS WEBINAR SERIES: Pharmaceutical Systems Strengthening (PSS) Learning Series
Page Updated May 16, 2024
USAID MTaPS hosted a series of insightful webinars, where experts from around the world came together to emphasize the significance of PSS in advancing global health goals.
Expanding access to affordable medical products is a national priority in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) working towards universal health coverage (UHC). In addition to sustainable national health budgets, the success of UHC programs depends heavily on reliable access to and appropriate use of affordable, quality medical products. As important, the creeping crisis of AMR and emerging pandemics further highlight the need for dedicated focus on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions. The objective of the series was to engage the global health community in sharing knowledge regarding the value of PSS in advancing health program goals and disseminate technical resources for system-based approaches to strengthen national pharmaceutical systems.
Webinar I: PSS for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH)
Date: Thursday, February 1, 8:00–9:30 AM ET
This session focused on the link between improved MNCH outcomes and strong and resilient pharmaceutical systems. Panelists discussed how PSS interventions can contribute to the access to and appropriate use of specific MNCH products in addition to other essential medical products.
PANELISTS
- Dr. Aline Uwimana, Division Manager, Maternal, Child and Community Health, Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)
- Prakash Dulal, Pharmacy Officer, Health Directorate, Bagmati Province, Nepal
- Joseph Monehin, Senior Child Health Advisor, Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition, USAID
- John Borrazzo, Director, Child Health, Momentum Country & Global Leadership and Lead Advisor, Child Health, Department of Global Health, Save The Children
Learn more about the importance of PSS for MNCH outcomes and MTaPS’ work in this area in this informative blog.
Click here to view the webinar recording.
Webinar 2: National Pharmaceutical Services Units (NPSUs) – A Critical Component for Medicines Availability and Use
Date: Tuesday, February 27, 8:00–9:30 AM ET
This session focused on the findings of a study conducted by the USAID MTaPS program that offers guidance for the mandate and function of NPSUs in LMICs. Panelists shared experiences working with NPSUs in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire.
PANELISTS
- Ndinda Kusu, Country Program Director, MTaPS Kenya
- Hérodias Ahimon, Senior Technical Advisor, MTaPS Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr. Tom Menge, Director, Directorate of Health Products and Technologies, Kenya Ministry of Health
- Prof. Antoine Serge Amari, Pharmacist – PhD, Pharmaceutical Law and Regulation Department, Cote d’Ivoire; Training and Research Unit of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, Félix Houphouët Boigny University
Click here to view the webinar recording.
Webinar 3: Sustainable Local Manufacturing and Resilient Health Supply Chains: The Critical Role of Strong Regulatory Systems
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 8:00–9:30 AM ET
This session explored how regulatory systems impact local manufacturing and the relationship between regulatory systems and pharmaceutical supply chains.
PANELISTS
- John Mwangi, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Bayer East & West Central Africa
- René Berger, Senior Technical Director, Management Sciences for Health
- Lisa Ludeman, Senior Pharmaceutical Management Advisor, Office of Health Systems, Bureau for Global Health, USAID
- Diadié Maiga, Scientist, Regulatory Systems Strengthening (RSS) Team, WHO Department of Regulation and Prequalification
To learn more about MTaPS’ work to advance regulatory systems for improved access to safe, effective, affordable, and quality-assured medical products, click here.
Click here to view the webinar recording.
Webinar 4: Identifying Key Enablers for Digitalization of Regulatory Information Management Systems (RIMS)
Date: Thursday, April 18, 8:00–9:30 AM ET
This session discussed the importance of digitalizing Regulatory Information Management Systems (RIMS) and how future investments in PSS can help streamline and harmonize efforts to address remaining gaps and challenges.
PANELISTS
- Kyle Duarte, Senior Director, Global Digital Solutions, CARE USA
- Tobey Busch, Senior Pharmaceutical Management Advisor, Office of Health Systems, Bureau for Global Health, USAID
- Souly Phanouvong, Technical Director, USAID Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+) Program
- Alireza Khadem, Team Lead, Regulatory Systems Strengthening (RSS) Team, WHO Department of Regulation and Prequalification
To learn more about MTaPS’ work on minimum common standards for RIMS, click here.