Dear E-druggers,
I am happy to share a new paper led by Maarten Kok and Relmbuss Fanda.
This work aims to develop an analytical approach and framework to assess the performance of local pharmaceutical systems (LOPHAS) and guide improvements in access to essential medicines. We propose that a LOPHAS has six core functions: (1) local governance, (2) managing product supply, (3) financing, (4) developing human and physical resources, (5) appropriate dispensing and use of medicines and (6) monitoring performance, each with operational components and indicators.
We hope that this framework can guide policymakers, healthcare providers and local administrators in strengthening systems to ensure that essential medicines are accessible and used appropriately.
The paper is accessible here:
Assessing the performance of local pharmaceutical systems: An analytical approach to improve access to medicine - Maarten Olivier Kok, Relmbuss Biljers Fanda, Rik Ubbo Lubbers, Margo van Gurp, Raffaella Ravinetto, Ari Probandari, 2025
I also copy-paste the abstract below.
Best,
Raffaella Ravinetto
Professor, Pharmaceutical Public Health
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium
Abstract
Well-functioning pharmaceutical systems are crucial for ensuring universal access to medicines and their appropriate use.
While existing frameworks for analysing pharmaceutical systems generally focus on the national level, in many countries,
the core functions are often managed locally within a broader national framework. Despite this local focus, there has been
no effort to conceptualize a ‘local pharmaceutical system’ as a distinct entity with its own goals, functions and operational
components. A method for analysing and comparing the performance of local pharmaceutical systems (LOPHAS) within
a country is still lacking. We aim to develop an analytical approach and framework to assess the performance of LOPHAS
and guide improvements in access to essential medicines. We conducted an integrative literature review and consulted
with purposively selected experts. We systematically searched for existing approaches for conceptualizing or assessing
pharmaceutical systems and empirical studies in which these were applied and combined this with insights from 23
reviews and guidebooks suggested by experts to develop the LOPHAS approach and framework. We identified 13
existing frameworks and 16 studies that had applied these frameworks to analyse pharmaceutical systems. Building on
these findings, we propose that a LOPHAS has six core functions: (1) local governance, (2) managing product supply,
(3) financing, (4) developing human and physical resources, (5) appropriate dispensing and use of medicines and (6)
monitoring performance. For each function, we defined operational components and indicators. The primary outcomes
of a LOPHAS are access to medicine and appropriate use of medicine. The LOPHAS framework provides a practical
tool for assessing and comparing the performance of LOPHAS. By identifying areas for improvement, it can guide
policymakers, healthcare providers and local administrators in strengthening systems to ensure that essential medicines
are accessible and used appropriately, supporting broader health goals.