Introduction Pharmacovigilance (PV) systems to monitor drug and vaccine safety are often inadequate in sub-Saharan
Africa. In Malawi, a PV enhancement initiative was introduced to address major barriers to PV.
Objective The objective of this initiative was to improve reporting of adverse events (A...Es) by strengthening passive safety
surveillance via PV training and mentoring of local PV stakeholders and healthcare providers (HCPs) at their own healthcare
facilities (HCFs).
Methods An 18-month PV training and mentoring programme was implemented in collaboration with national stakeholders,
and in partnership with the Ministry of Health, GSK and PATH. Two-day training was provided to Expanded Programme on
Immunisation coordinators, identified as responsible for AE reporting, and four National Regulatory Authority representa-
tives. Abridged PV training and mentoring were provided regularly to HCPs. Support was given in upgrading the national
PV system. Key performance indicators included the number of AEs reported, transmission of AE forms, completeness of
reports, serious AEs reported and timeliness of recording into VigiFlow.
Results In 18 months, 443 HCPs at 61 HCFs were trained. The number of reported AEs increased from 22 (January 2000 to
October 2016) to 228 (November 2016 to May 2018), enabling Malawi to become a member of the World Health Organization
Programme for International Drug Monitoring. Most (98%) AE report forms contained mandatory information on reporter,
event, patient and product, but under 1% were transmitted to the national PV office within 48 h.
Conclusion Regular PV training and mentoring of HCPs were effective in enhancing passive safety surveillance in Malawi,
but the transmission of reports to the national PV centre requires further improvement.
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Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is one of the greatest child survival challenges in the world today and
reportedly affects more than 16.2 million children each year1. High impact, proven treatment interventions exist
yet sadly approximately only 3.2 million children with SAM have access to treatme...nt each year2. Thus, there
is a need to scale up interventions to improve coverage and access across high burden countries. While efforts
are currently underway to expand services in many countries, obstacles remain.
One critical barrier to expanding SAM treatment services is the acceptance, accessibility and utilisation of
ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). In some countries and contexts, RUTF is still not fully accepted by
community members; while other countries face problems with procurement, storage and supply chain
management which impact on availability and use3. Reports from Ghana and Zambia highlighted that stock-
outs and logistical challenges are often noted as key contributors to high default rates in outpatient treatment
centres4.
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Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause a considerable burden of morbidity
and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and
affordable essential medicines is variable. We aimed to review the existing ...literature relating to the availability, cost,
and affordability of WHO’s essential medicines for asthma and COPD in LMICs.
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The Malawian government recently introduced cost-covering consultation fees for self-referral patients in tertiary public hospitals. Previously, patients received medicines free of charge in government-owned health facilities, but must pay elsewhere. Before the government implements a payment policy... in other areas of health care, it is important to investigate the prices, affordability and availability of essential medicines in Malawi.
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Long Acting Muscarinic Antagonists (LAMA) such as tiotropium and glycopyrronium are used in the management of COPD1. They have been shown to improve lung function, quality of life and exercise tolerance. They have also been associated with reduced COPD-related exacerbations, associated hospitalisati...ons and duration of hospital stay. Both the South African Thoracic Society (SATS) and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), guidelines recommend the use of long acting anticholinergic drugs (or long acting beta agonists) in moderate to very severe disease as defined by lung function (FEV1). The most up to date guideline, utilizing the GRADE methodology (European Respiratory Society guidelines of 2017), confirms their superiority over long acting β agonists (LABA) as monotherapy for COPD in that LAMA's have demonstrated greater efficacy in terms of exacerbation reduction, with similar safety profile.2 These recommnedations are supported by published peer-reviewed
evidence including individual papers and Cochrane reviews.
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This guide helps pharmacists to understand their role in the hypertension program. From maintaining hypertensive drug stock, to drug dispensing, to recording and reporting, to awareness generation with patients.
Les médicaments essentiels sont ceux qui répondent aux besoins de santé prioritaires d'une population. Conformément aux recommandations de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS), des listes nationales de médicaments essentiels sont régulièrement révisées, puis mises à la disposition de...s praticiens de la santé et des utilisateurs. La présente liste prend en compte les dernières orientations et directives applicales au Burkina Faso.
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Les médicaments ont été classés à la fois par classe pharmaco-thérapeutique et par ordre alphabétique. La présence d’une marque astérisque renvoie à davantage de précision pour le (les) médicament(s) concerné(s).
The availability of controlled medicines is crucial for patients requiring palliative care, pain relief and symptom management. Many individuals worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries, continue to experience limited access to these essential medicines. Enhancing access to controll...ed medicines is paramount in promoting universal health coverage. This report offers a detailed situational analysis of policies and programmes aimed at improving access to affordable, high-quality controlled medicines for pain management in the WHO South-East Asia Region. The report identifies the existing barriers, challenges and possible solutions to facilitate access to such medicines across all Member States.
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Accessed on 15.08.2022
La farmacovigilancia es una herramienta que permite la detección, evaluación, conocimiento y prevención de efectos adversos y/o inesperados de los medicamentos que se prescriben. También facilita la detección de fallas de respuesta terapéutica por deficiencias de calid...ad.
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This is the first edition of Empiric Antibiotic Guidelines, as a guidance to all medical practitioners at North Okklapa General & Teaching Hospital.
Antibiotics are critical in the management of infection and can have a significant impact in reducing morbidity and mortality. Emerging antimicrobia...l resistance has been identified as global challenge by the World Health Organization. Careful use of antibiotics targeted to likely pathogens is an important strategy in combating development of antimicrobial resistance.
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Ukrainian Title:
УКРАЇНА: Еквівалентність лікарських засобів, зареєстрованих в Україні та інших країнах. Інформація для працівників охорони здоров'я та пацієнтів
To support t...he provision of healthcare and medicines in the host countries, and as part of FIP’s response to the appeals of our member organisation, the All-Ukrainian Pharmaceutical Chamber, FIP has developed the tables of equivalence between medicines registered in Ukraine and those available in other countries, published in this document. This is meant to facilitate the provision of (pharmaceutical) care to refugees and also to support healthcare professionals providing care to them. We are
prioritising medicines for the following chronic non-communicable diseases that require continuation of treatment: asthma & COPD, mental health, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, but also oral contraceptives. This list may be expanded as necessary.
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Antibiotics 2022, 11(3), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11030329.
The authors found that the most-represented antibiotics on the Rwandan market were amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole and cloxacillin. No counterfeit antibiotics were found in this study. However, substandard batches with moderate ...deviations were found, suggesting that regular quality control of antibiotics is needed in Rwanda.
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Take Action on Antimicrobial Resistance.For students in college and university
This is a booklet that is suitable for readers with a developed intellect. It is well summarized in a way that captures the most important facts to remember and actions to take against AMR.
This book provides a perfect companion to BSAC’s FREE Massive Open Online Course on Antimicrobial Stewardship, which is available in English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Russian. Visit www.futurelearn.com/courses/antimicrobial-stewardship for details.
Please download the complete e-book form the websi...te (Large File 41 MB!)
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Little progress has been made since the 1960s and 1970s to widen the therapeutic arsenal against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative pathogen of Chagas disease, which remains a frustrating and perplexing infectious disease. This chapter focuses on the strategic and operational challenges in the clinica...l drug development of a novel antitrypanosomal agent for Chagas disease. The various elements that contribute to a robust assessment of treatment effect including dose selection, choice of patient population, trial methodology, endpoint measures, and regulatory perspectives are discussed. The learnings herein should serve as resource to help researchers and other stakeholders optimize their clinical development plans and speed delivery of new medicines to patients with Chagas disease.
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Certes, au Sénégal la révision périodique tous les deux ans de la Liste Nationale des Médicaments et Produits Essentiels (LNMPE) est une tradition depuis 1990. La présente liste de Médicaments et Produits Essentiels par niveaux de soins est la septième édition.
Cette sélection soigneuse... d’une gamme limitée de médicaments essentiels améliore la qualité des soins, la gestion des médicaments et le rapport cout/efficacité. En résume elle participe a l'utilisation rationnelle des ressources sanitaires.
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Essential Medicines and Health Products Information Portal
The infectious disease burden in India is among the highest in the world. A large amount of antibiot-ics are consumed in fighting infections, some of them saving lives, but every use adding to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Antibiotic use is increasing steadily (table 1), particularly ... certain antibiotic classes (beta-lactam antibacterials), most notably in the more prosperous states. Resistance follows in lock-step.
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