E-DRUG: Integrating pharmaceutical systems strengthening in the current global health scenario: three uncomfortable truths
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Dear Fellow E-Drug Followers,
We are pleased to share a commentary titled 'Integrating pharmaceutical
systems strengthening in the current global health scenario: three
uncomfortable truths' published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy
and Practice on June 25th:
https://joppp.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40545-020-00242-2
The commentary, co-authored by members of the PSS (Pharmaceutical Systems
Strengthening) Technical Advisory Group, speaks to the centrality of PSS to
achieving universal health coverage and what it will take to integrate PSS
into the global health agenda. The authors shed light on three
'uncomfortable truths' that the global health community would need to
reckon with.
The PSS Technical Advisory Group comprises experts from academia, national
ministries of health, international non-governmental organizations, and
multinational agencies and aims to advance PSS on the global health agenda.
Learn more:
https://mtapsprogram.org/news/integrating-pharmaceutical-systems-strengthening-global-health-agenda-reckoning-experts
Abstract
The response to emergency public health challenges such as HIV, TB, and malaria has been successful in mobilising resources and scaling up treatment for communicable diseases. However, many of the remaining challenges in
improving access to and appropriate use of medicines and services require pharmaceutical systems strengthening.
Incorporating pharmaceutical systems strengthening into global health programmes requires recognition of a few truths. Systems strengthening is a lengthy and resource-intensive process that requires sustained engagement,
which may not align with the short time frame for achieving targets in vertical-oriented programmes. Further, there is a lack of clarity on what key metrics associated with population and patient level outcomes should be tracked for systems strengthening interventions. This can hinder advocacy and communication with decision makers regarding health systems investments. Moving forward, it is important to find ways to balance the inherent tensions between the short-term focus on the efficiency of vertical programmes and broader, longer-term health and development objectives. Global health programme design should also shift away from a narrow view of medicines primarily as an input commodity to a more comprehensive view that recognizes the various structures and processes and their interactions within the broader health system that help ensure access to and appropriate use of medicines and related services.
Rajita Majumdar
Rajita Majumdar
USAID MTaPS Strategic Communications Lead
Management Sciences for Health
US-VA-Arlington-All United States
Email: rmajumdar@mtapsprogram.org