Overview

USAID’s Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) project operates globally, working to increase the availability and use of quality medicines and health commodities.  In Afghanistan, SPS strengthens the Ministry of Public Health’s (MoPH) ability to: improve the rational use of medicine; manage pharmaceutical services; monitor the quality of pharmaceutical products entering and used within the country; and, establish a coordinated procurement and distribution system.  Other activities include focusing on essential medicine distribution and providing technical assistance in pharmaceutical management.  SPS works closely with the MoPH General Directorate of Pharmaceutical Affairs (GDPA) and the National Drug and Therapeutic Committee (NDTC). 

Activities

• Strengthen the Regulatory System: Assists the MoPH to establish a functional regulatory framework.  Supports MoPH efforts to develop and implement required laws, regulations, and policies to support the regulatory system.  
• Supply Chain Management and Commodity Security: Building on previous USAID projects, integrates project drug management staff, infrastructure, and responsibilities into the current pharmaceutical framework.  Helping develop an operational plan to build the capacity of the GDPA to assume responsibility for procurement, storage, and distribution.
• Service Delivery Capacity: Collaborates with the MoPH Human Resources department to develop short-term strategic plans for pharmaceutical human resources.
• Enhance Pharmaceutical Services: Increases the capacity of GDPA, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and health facilities to support pharmaceutical services.  Supports drug and therapeutic committees to oversee the implementation of rational medicine use strategies. 
• Pharmaceutical Management Information System (PMIS): In collaboration with other relevant U.S. and Afghan partners, supports implementation of a comprehensive Pharmaceutical Management Information System (PMIS) for improved data management.

Accomplishments

• Established the National Drug and Therapeutic Committee (NDTC).  Supported similar committees in 17 national and provincial hospitals (six in Kabul, 11 in provinces).
• Completed a medicine use/prescribing practices study and designed training packages for physicians and pharmacists based on findings.
• Drafted Standard Treatment Guidelines for the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS).
• Conducted medicine quality study and rapid quality assurance (QA) assessment to improve pharmaceutical QA policies and strengthen the regulatory environment for drug and food safety.
• Developed the framework for a Coordinated Procurement and Distribution System.
• Refurbished the MoPH Central Medical Store to promote good storage practices.
• Developed an human resources strategic framework based on an earlier assessment.
• Revised medicine laws, regulations, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to comply with the National Medicines Policy.
• Incorporated modern pharmaceutical management subjects into the Kabul University Pharmacy School curriculum and revised the Ghazanfar Institute of Health Sciences’ pharmacy curriculum.
• Designed health messages for radio, television, and print to raise public awareness of anti-microbial resistance and rational medicine use.