With support from SIAPS and in collaboration with other development partners, the Central Medical Stores (CMS) conducts supportive supervision and mentorship (SSM) visits to health facilities. Through these visits, the capacity of health personnel is built to effectively manage pharmaceuticals and services, improve the rational use of pharmaceuticals, and strengthen supply chain management at all levels … Read more
Inefficient and irrational use of medicines is a well-documented problem in both developed and developing countries. It leads to cost increases and adverse clinical effects for patients. The inappropriate use of medicine can be reduced if health care professionals involved in the different aspects of medicine use promote good practices for medicine management and use. … Read more
South Sudan’s health system is struggling to overcome a myriad of challenges, including poor pharmaceutical supply management practices, weak infrastructure, and inadequate skilled manpower. The outbreak of civil unrest in the nascent nation in December 2013 further exacerbated the already dire situation. South Sudan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, … Read more
Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, with approximately 70% of the population living below the poverty line. Many women and children are unable to access essential health services and medicine due to inadequate geographic coverage, financing, and available health professionals. Neonatal mortality is 30 deaths per 1,000, and under-five mortality is … Read more
The Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program proposed a methodology for reviewing lists of essential medicines (LEM) and formularies, with the potential to achieve optimum results in short periods of time and with a minimal investment of resources. The methodology consisted of identifying an expert international pharmacologist with experience in the LEM process and the … Read more
South Africa’s health system is under enormous strain. There is a sizeable and increasing number of people with chronic diseases, both communicable and noncommunicable. The country has the largest population living with HIV, estimated at 7 million; an HIV prevalence rate of 19.2%; and 180,000 HIV-related deaths in 2015. South Africa has the highest number of people on HIV … Read more
Using the pharmaceutical systems strengthening approach, SIAPS supported the GPPTC in three critical systems-strengthening areas. First, SIAPS facilitated the development and approval of provincial guidelines to establish pharmaceutical and therapeutics committees (PTCs) at all health facilities in Gauteng Province. The guidelines reinforce the governance mechanisms supporting the PTCs, outlining expected compliance to procurement practices and assessing pharmaceutical expenditures. Second, SIAPS strengthened human resources capacity through the implementation … Read more
Over the past three years, SIAPS has expanded the use of RxSolution to a total of 350 sites across South Africa. SIAPS is also developing numerous customized modules and modifications to meet the specialized needs of different clinical settings including expanded functionality for barcode tracking, biometric monitoring, and mobile phone applications.
An assessment of Namibia’s pharmaceutical system conducted in 2009 identified a number of capacity building challenges to be addressed to improve pharmaceutical services. These challenges included shortages of key staff, unmanageable workloads, and inadequate storage space for medicines. In response, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) identified several key mechanisms to address these challenges and strengthen the pharmaceutical sector including improving the functionality … Read more
The Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program has designed and implemented a certificate course to ensure the strengthening and sustainability of rational medicine use in the Dominican Republic. Universidad Central del Este (UCE) conducted the first course to thirty-two students in mid-2016 and shall conduct a second course in the last … Read more
