USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program

Join us as we prepare for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), taking place from November 18th to 24th! WAAW is a global campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The theme for WAAW 2024 is “Educate. Advocate. Act now.” Engaging in WAAW is key for communicating best practices for combatting AMR to the public, One Health stakeholders, and policymakers, all key actors in the fight against AMR.  In our commitment to educate, advocate, and act now, the USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program will be sharing some of our key contributions towards combatting AMR in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) around the world. Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we approach WAAW to learn more about our impactful work! #WorldAMRAwarenessWeek #WAAW #AMR #WHO #USAID

“Preventing the spread of diseases in health facilities is often overshadowed by the focus on diagnosis and treatment. However, it is imperative for us, especially in units where patients are particularly vulnerable to healthcare-associated infections, to prioritize infection prevention and control measures.” - Professor Issa Konaté, Point G Hospital, Bamako, Mali One way to prioritize and improve infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in healthcare facilities is by ensuring access to continuing professional development (CPD). In 2021, the USAID MTaPS Program worked with the General Directorate for Health and Public Hygiene, the National Institute for Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine and Ondostomatology’s Faculty of Pharmacy to develop and establish a 10-module IPC eLearning platform for improving healthcare worker capacity. As of March 2024, 372 health workers had registered for these courses, with 76 having successfully completed the program. MTaPS observed an 800 percent increase in the number of health facilities reaching an "advanced" level in combating infections, a clear indication of improved capacity to ensure patient safety. #IPC #CPD #Mali #GlobalHealth Learn more ⬇️: https://lnkd.in/gEzaCqKA

In partnership with the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative, @USAIDGH's MTaPS program has released a new advocacy brief urging health stakeholders to prioritize the registration of medical products for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). Despite global strides, maternal, newborn, and child mortality rates remain unacceptably high across Africa. Poor access to essential medicines, vaccines, and medical devices is a critical factor. Barriers to product registration, overseen by National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), further limit access to lifesaving medical products. This advocacy brief urges NRAs, ministries of health, donors, and civil society to prioritize MNCH product registration to ensure access to lifesaving products, improve care, and prevent avoidable deaths. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g-gwVNgv #MNCH #LifesavingProducts #MaternalHealth #GlobalHealth #USAID #MTaPS #MSH Jane Briggs

USAID Global Health’s MTaPS program proudly participated in the 23rd Annual Meeting of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP Online) held in Montreal, Canada from October 1-5, 2024. The event, themed "Global Perspectives on Pharmacovigilance in the Digital Age and Advanced Therapeutics", was a hub of innovation and collaboration in ensuring safe medicinal use globally. The conference emphasized how digital innovations and advanced therapeutics can drive patient safety worldwide.    During the event, Principal Technical Advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Woldemariam, presented five posters developed by MTaPS teams, highlighting our work in strengthening pharmacovigilance systems across Africa and Asia. These presentations included:    1️⃣ Implementing an Active Surveillance Study of Patients Treated with a TLD Regimen for HIV in Mozambique  2️⃣ Strengthening Pharmacovigilance in Rwanda: Introducing PViMS for Spontaneous Reporting of Adverse Drug Effects  3️⃣ Strengthening the Adverse Events Following Immunization Surveillance System for COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Tanzania  4️⃣ Institutionalizing a Digital System for Active Tuberculosis Drug Safety Monitoring in the Philippines  5️⃣ Strengthening Pharmacovigilance and Safety Surveillance in Bangladesh    We're honored to contribute to this global effort to build resilient pharmacovigilance systems in low- and middle-income countries.     #pharmacovigilance #patientsafety #healthsystemstrengthening #ISOP2024

The United Nations General Assembly is currently underway, and global leaders are meeting for the second High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), addressing the urgent threat #AMR poses to global health, food security, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Drug-resistant infections know no borders, and this meeting is a pivotal opportunity to foster collective action. USAID Global Health's MTaPS Program is proud to have Francis Aboagye-Nyame (Kofi), Director of the MTaPS Program, representing MTaPS at the #UNGA79 along with other Management Sciences for Health colleagues. At this critical juncture, Kofi provides timely insights in his recent op-ed on strengthening pharmaceutical systems to combat AMR, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden is highest. Kofi outlines three key strategies to fight AMR and advocates for decisive action to be taken.   1️⃣ Investing in supply chains and pharmaceutical systems for access to quality medicines.   2️⃣ Strengthening laboratory systems to improve diagnosis and surveillance of drug-resistant infections.   3️⃣ Promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials through training, oversight, and public education.    Read Kofi's op-ed here➡️ https://lnkd.in/eG33GFaD #HealthSystemStrengthening #AntimicrobialResistance #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #UNGA #2030Agenda 

The UN General Assembly is in full swing, marking a pivotal moment in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR)! As part of #UNGA79, world leaders are gathering for the second High-Level Meeting on #AMR, a critical opportunity to address a threat that knows no borders. AMR impacts global health, food security, and our ability to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. We’re excited to share a recently published policy brief from USAID Global Health’s MTaPS program, “Addressing gaps in AMR awareness in the public". MTaPS is collaborating with school curricula policymakers to advocate for the integration of AMR education into primary and secondary school curricula—a proven strategy that builds on the previous success of HIV/AIDS education programs. Why does this matter? Low public awareness of AMR is a major barrier. Educating youth at an early stage can ignite lasting change, empowering communities with the knowledge to protect future generations from drug-resistant infections. Together, we’re working toward a healthier, more resilient future for all as AMR takes a global stage at the #UNGA. Read the policy brief here: https://lnkd.in/dWWBrrkd #HealthEducation #AMRAwareness #SustainableDevelopment 

🩺 On World Patient Safety Day, the USAID MTaPS Program proudly supports the WHO’s theme, "Get it right, make it safe!", emphasizing the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis for patient safety. Diagnostic errors contribute significantly to preventable harm, and MTaPS is partnering with countries in Asia and Africa to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems and improve diagnostic practices. Each year, 134 million adverse events occur in hospitals worldwide, leading to 2.6 million deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Improving diagnosis can reduce risks, enhance health outcomes, and save lives. Learn more about our efforts: https://lnkd.in/gSBVjXWf #PatientSafety #WorldPatientSafetyDay #GlobalHealth #HealthcareQuality #MTaPS #WHO Emmanuel Nfor Kate Kikule Elizabeth Woldemariam

In case you missed this important release! Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) published the 27th edition of their newsletter, featuring key workshops and stakeholder discussions supported by the USAID Global Health's MTaPS program. The MTaPS program has been working closely with the PPB towards their mission to ensure that all medicines and health products in #Kenya are safe, effective and of highest quality. View the PPB’s newsletter below to learn more about MTaPS’s collaborative work! Highlights include: ✅ Stakeholders workshop focused on reaching a stable, well-functioning, and integrated regulatory system ✅ Media sensitization workshop underscoring medicine safety and regulatory oversight to enhance surveillance and communication ✅ Stakeholders' discussions on ongoing bioequivalence (BE) studies to determine viability and potential risks for locally manufactured pharmaceutical products. Newsletter here➡️ https://lnkd.in/e8vmUXWS 

USAID Global Health's MTaPS Program is joining with Management Sciences for Health to bring awareness to #AntimicrobialResistance. We are proud to highlight the MTaPS program's groundbreaking publication on tackling #AMR in #Uganda using a One Health approach.    Despite the ongoing challenges of infectious diseases and rising #AMR, MTaPS has empowered Uganda's Ministry of Health to strengthen its health security through locally led interventions guided by the GHSA framework. Over 4 ½ years, MTaPS collaborated to implement 32 WHO benchmark actions, enhancing coordination across human, animal, and environmental health sectors, improving infection control, and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials.    This achievement underscores the power of collaboration and local ownership in building resilience against health threats. Together, we can create a healthier, more resilient world! Read more➡️ https://lnkd.in/eH84hWsf    #OneHealth #HealthSecurity #GlobalHealth 

This month, as the United Nations General Assembly approaches, USAID Global Health's MTaPS program is joining Management Sciences for Health in highlighting the importance of strengthening health systems to combat #AntimicrobialResistance. The MTaPS program identified important key takeaways for enhancing healthcare systems and antimicrobial stewardship in surgical settings in #Ethiopia within a recently published manuscript: "Optimizing prophylactic antibiotic use among surgery patients in Ethiopian hospitals".    From political commitment to medical recordkeeping and sustainable scalability, our publication highlights the multidimensional efforts needed for lasting impact and improved patient safety. Read the full paper below and join us in strengthening healthcare systems together towards #BetterHealth ➡ https://lnkd.in/eztpFVac    #HealthcareInnovation #AntimicrobialStewardship #GlobalHealthEfforts #AMR #UNGA