Existing capacity to manage pharmaceuticals and related commodities in East Africa: an assessment with specific reference to antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

Background: East African countries have in the recent past experienced a tremendous increase in the volume of antiretroviral drugs. Capacity to manage these medicines in the region remains limited. Makerere University, with technical assistance from the USAID supported Rational Pharmaceutical Management Plus (RPM Plus) Program of Management Sciences for Health (MSH) established a network of academic institutions to build capacity for pharmaceutical management in the East African region. The initiative includes institutions from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda and aims to improve access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria through spearheading in-country capacity. The initiative conducted a regional assessment to determine the existing capacity for the management of antiretroviral drugs and related commodities.

Appraisal of Nature of Capacity Building Programs of HIV/AIDS Supply Chain Workforce in Nigeria

“…The study further agreed with previous studies [10,14] that skill building approaches/activities that do not take workers away from their places of work for long periods such as on-the-job training and short courses/incountry workshops with regular follow-up were effective and preferred modes of capacity building in Iran and East African countries, respectively. Effective capacity building program will guarantee improved capacity of workforces to ensure a reliable supply chain for HIV/AIDS program [32].…”

“…Similar approaches have been used to strengthen health workforce capacity in other countries including The Gambia, Nicaragua and Liberia [2]. It is worth noting that some capacity building strategies have been implemented to ensure long-term availability of skills in different countries with positive results such as, on-site and off-site training in South Africa [29], collaboration among stakeholders in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda [18], on-the-job training and short courses in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda [10], mentorship on real work situation in Uganda [30], field-based training in Australia [3], skills transfer in Liberia [17], fellowship training program in Uganda [2], work-based/ hands-on training in Uganda [2], in-service, pre-service and e-learning training in Nigeria [5]. Furthermore, it has been reported that fellowship program does not yield quick returns but are critical in building longer-term capacities needed to address HIV/AIDS in coming generations [31].…”

Appraisal of Nature of Capacity Building Programs of HIV/AIDS Supply Chain Workforce in Nigeria

“…The study further agreed with previous studies [10,14] that skill building approaches/activities that do not take workers away from their places of work for long periods such as on-the-job training and short courses/incountry workshops with regular follow-up were effective and preferred modes of capacity building in Iran and East African countries, respectively. Effective capacity building program will guarantee improved capacity of workforces to ensure a reliable supply chain for HIV/AIDS program [32].…”

“…Similar approaches have been used to strengthen health workforce capacity in other countries including The Gambia, Nicaragua and Liberia [2]. It is worth noting that some capacity building strategies have been implemented to ensure long-term availability of skills in different countries with positive results such as, on-site and off-site training in South Africa [29], collaboration among stakeholders in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda [18], on-the-job training and short courses in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda [10], mentorship on real work situation in Uganda [30], field-based training in Australia [3], skills transfer in Liberia [17], fellowship training program in Uganda [2], work-based/ hands-on training in Uganda [2], in-service, pre-service and e-learning training in Nigeria [5]. Furthermore, it has been reported that fellowship program does not yield quick returns but are critical in building longer-term capacities needed to address HIV/AIDS in coming generations [31].…”

Health-industry linkages for local health: reframing policies for African health system strengthening

“…Skills and training was seen by many as the area most in need of investment. Health systems need more effective supply chain and procurement management, but lack the necessary trained staff ( Waako et al 2009 ; Wiedenmayer et al 2015 ; Yadav 2015 ). In 2013, 53% of Kenyan and 73% of Tanzanian health facility interviewees responsible for ordering had no relevant training.…”

A strategy to improve skills in pharmaceutical supply management in East Africa: the regional technical resource collaboration for pharmaceutical management

“…These were also regarded as more sustainable. The methodology and comprehensive results of this assessment have been described elsewhere [ 12 ].…”

Appraisal of Nature of Capacity Building Programs of HIV/AIDS Supply Chain Workforce in Nigeria

“…The study further agreed with previous studies [10,14] that skill building approaches/activities that do not take workers away from their places of work for long periods such as on-the-job training and short courses/incountry workshops with regular follow-up were effective and preferred modes of capacity building in Iran and East African countries, respectively. Effective capacity building program will guarantee improved capacity of workforces to ensure a reliable supply chain for HIV/AIDS program [32].…”

“…Similar approaches have been used to strengthen health workforce capacity in other countries including The Gambia, Nicaragua and Liberia [2]. It is worth noting that some capacity building strategies have been implemented to ensure long-term availability of skills in different countries with positive results such as, on-site and off-site training in South Africa [29], collaboration among stakeholders in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda [18], on-the-job training and short courses in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda [10], mentorship on real work situation in Uganda [30], field-based training in Australia [3], skills transfer in Liberia [17], fellowship training program in Uganda [2], work-based/ hands-on training in Uganda [2], in-service, pre-service and e-learning training in Nigeria [5]. Furthermore, it has been reported that fellowship program does not yield quick returns but are critical in building longer-term capacities needed to address HIV/AIDS in coming generations [31].…”

Health-industry linkages for local health: reframing policies for African health system strengthening

“…Skills and training was seen by many as the area most in need of investment. Health systems need more effective supply chain and procurement management, but lack the necessary trained staff ( Waako et al 2009 ; Wiedenmayer et al 2015 ; Yadav 2015 ). In 2013, 53% of Kenyan and 73% of Tanzanian health facility interviewees responsible for ordering had no relevant training.…”

A strategy to improve skills in pharmaceutical supply management in East Africa: the regional technical resource collaboration for pharmaceutical management

“…These were also regarded as more sustainable. The methodology and comprehensive results of this assessment have been described elsewhere [ 12 ].…”

Appraisal of Nature of Capacity Building Programs of HIV/AIDS Supply Chain Workforce in Nigeria

“…The study further agreed with previous studies [10,14] that skill building approaches/activities that do not take workers away from their places of work for long periods such as on-the-job training and short courses/incountry workshops with regular follow-up were effective and preferred modes of capacity building in Iran and East African countries, respectively. Effective capacity building program will guarantee improved capacity of workforces to ensure a reliable supply chain for HIV/AIDS program [32].…”

“…Similar approaches have been used to strengthen health workforce capacity in other countries including The Gambia, Nicaragua and Liberia [2]. It is worth noting that some capacity building strategies have been implemented to ensure long-term availability of skills in different countries with positive results such as, on-site and off-site training in South Africa [29], collaboration among stakeholders in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda [18], on-the-job training and short courses in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda [10], mentorship on real work situation in Uganda [30], field-based training in Australia [3], skills transfer in Liberia [17], fellowship training program in Uganda [2], work-based/ hands-on training in Uganda [2], in-service, pre-service and e-learning training in Nigeria [5]. Furthermore, it has been reported that fellowship program does not yield quick returns but are critical in building longer-term capacities needed to address HIV/AIDS in coming generations [31].…”

Health-industry linkages for local health: reframing policies for African health system strengthening

“…Skills and training was seen by many as the area most in need of investment. Health systems need more effective supply chain and procurement management, but lack the necessary trained staff ( Waako et al 2009 ; Wiedenmayer et al 2015 ; Yadav 2015 ). In 2013, 53% of Kenyan and 73% of Tanzanian health facility interviewees responsible for ordering had no relevant training.…”

A strategy to improve skills in pharmaceutical supply management in East Africa: the regional technical resource collaboration for pharmaceutical management

“…These were also regarded as more sustainable. The methodology and comprehensive results of this assessment have been described elsewhere [ 12 ].…”