Beyond identification of SF medicines: Structural Adjustment for Effective Response project
Situation:
Substandard and counterfeit malaria drugs and antibiotics pose a significant threat to public health, particularly in Africa. The rudimentary regulations governing drug control and the poorly monitored borders in Malawi suggest that a large number of substandard drugs are in circulation. This makes it difficult to monitor drug quality and increases the risk of the spread of counterfeit and substandard medications.
Objectives:
To establish functional advocacy and surveillance systems in Malawi that, in collaboration with government agencies and faith-based partner; the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM), lead to a measurable reduction in the circulation of SF MNCH products, and enable timely and appropriate responses to such instances.
Indicator 1: Policy and Regulatory Changes - Percentage of new or strengthened
policies and regulations addressing SF medicines.
Indicator 2: Awareness and Knowledge Increase - Percentage increase in awareness
and knowledge about SF medicines among healthcare providers.
Indicator 3: Percentage of SF MNCH medicines detected and responded to effectively
1. Assessment and Policy Gap Analysis
2. Establish structures for collaboration and dialogue
3. Strengthening Regulatory Systems
As part of sustainability, EPN will plan for advocacy meetings to involve different stakeholders to advocate for the use of minilab as a cost-effective way of detecting SF medicine. This will aim at the various bodies preferring to use the impl menting partner to test samples. A fee will be charged, this will generate funds for the partner for sustainability.
The “Minilab” is used to scientifically document the nature and extent of counterfeit or substandard drugs, enabling researchers to precisely determine how much and which medications are ineffective or harmful. With this evidence-based data and facts, it becomes politically easier to implement legislative changes and improved drug controls.
