OVERVIEW

The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems project seeks to increase the availability and use of quality medicines and pharmaceutical commodities in Afghanistan.

The Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems project improves the Ministry of Public Health’s (MoPH) ability to regulate and assure the quality of pharmaceutical products entering and used within the country. The technical objectives of the SPS project are the expansion of health commodity security and improvement of rational medicine use and medicine safety. The project provides technical support in 18 provinces of Afghanistan (Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Faryab, Ghazni, Helmand, Herat, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunduz, Laghman, Nangarhar, Paktika, Parwan and Takhar) to improve the rational use of medicine, to ensure proper storage and management of drugs in clinics, and to establish a comprehensive Pharmaceutical Management Information System. In addition, the project works closely with the MoPH General Directorate of Pharmaceutical Affairs (GDPA) and the National Drug and Therapeutic Committee (NDTC).

ACTIVITIES

• Improve Medicines importation policies, legislation, and regulation: Help the MoPH develop and implement required laws, regulations, and policies for the regulation of imported medicine and drugs.
• Supply Chain Management and Commodity Security: The goal is to strengthen the supply of consistent and quality drugs and medicines in Afghanistan.
• Strengthen Pharmaceutical Human Resources: Collaborate with the MoPH to recruit and train skilled pharmacists.
• Enhance Pharmaceutical Services: Increase the use of good pharmaceutical practices in the GDPA, non-governmental organizations and health facilities, and help develop official policies that ensure rational medicine use.
• Pharmaceutical Management Information System: In collaboration with other relevant U.S. and Afghan partners, support the implementation of a comprehensive PMIS for improved pharmaceutical data management.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Created the country’s first Essential Medicines List and Licensed Medicines List.
• Revised the National Medicine Policy to international standards, with MoPH endorsement.
• Established supply distribution chains and registration system for pharmaceutical products.
• Improved the computerized Pharmaceutical Management Information System data base in the General Directorate of Pharmaceutical Affairs.
• Finalized stock management standard operating procedures for pharmaceutical enterprises.
• Drafted modernized guidelines and procedures for retail pharmacy licensing.
• Piloted a Minilab project to test imported medicine from private and public sector facilities in the six provinces of Kabul, Kandahar, Hirat, Ningarhar, Balkh and Kundoz.
• Finalized the Procurement and Distribution Guideline, which standardized the process of distribution from the warehouse to health facility.
• Provided technical support in the revision of Afghan Medicines and Health Products Law
• Developed an official notice paper, providing guidelines for the registered companies and its products.