MSH/SIAPS Approach
to Pharmaceutical
Systems
Strengthening
Maura Soucy Brown
March 15, 2016
Boston University
Overview
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What is a pharmaceutical system?
What is pharmaceutical systems strengthening (PSS)?
SIAPS approach to PSS
Access to pharmaceuticals
Key Messages
Discussion
My experiences as an Alum
Intern and employment opportunities with MSH
Discussion
What is a Pharmaceutical System?
• Varying definitions
• Many focus just on supply chain or product
development/introduction processes
• MSH considers a Pharmaceutical System a subsystem
of a Health System:
Definition of a Pharmaceutical System
MSH proposed definition of a pharmaceutical system:
• A pharmaceutical system consists of all structures,
people, resources, processes, and their interactions
within the broader health system that aim to ensure
equitable and timely access to safe, effective, quality
pharmaceutical products and related services to
improve health outcomes.
Strengthening the system goes
beyond system support*
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Duplication of processes
Vertical systems
Removal/replacement of functions
Reliance on technical assistance/donor funding
Definition of Pharmaceutical Systems
Strengthening
The process of identifying and implementing
strategies and actions that achieve coordinated and
sustainable improvements in the critical components of
a pharmaceutical system to make it more resilient and
to enhance its performance for achieving better health
outcomes
SIAPS Pharmaceutical Systems
Strengthening Approach
Components for Measurement
Seven pharmaceutical system components are critical
for guiding the measurement of pharmaceutical system
strengthening:
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Pharmaceutical products and related services
Policy, laws and governance
Regulatory systems
Human resources
Financing
Information
Innovation, research and development, manufacturing and
trade
Core Themes
• The goal of pharmaceutical systems and
pharmaceutical systems strengthening is to improve
access to and use of pharmaceuticals
• Pharmaceutical products provided in the system
should be safe, effective, and of high quality
• Use of pharmaceutical products should be
appropriate (or rational) and cost-effective
• Systems should be resilient and improvements
should be sustainable
Breaking Down Access
• What do you think of when you hear “access to
pharmaceuticals”
• What are some important considerations when
defining or measuring access?
Improving Use of Products and
Services
Key Messages
• Pharmaceutical Systems Strengthening Approaches use a
health systems perspective to better understand the
interconnections and dynamics within the pharmaceutical
system and other health system components
• From strengthening pharmaceutical legislation, regulations,
and policies to supporting community case management and
patient-centered pharmaceutical care; stronger
pharmaceutical systems not only enable supply chains to be
more effective, but also pave the way for good governance,
equitable access, financial protection and responsible use of
medicines
Key Messages Cont’d
By working with countries to strengthen critical
elements of health system components,
pharmaceutical systems strengthening approaches aim
to:
• Sustainably improve pharmaceutical system performance
• Increase access to quality assured, safe and effective
pharmaceuticals and services that ensure their appropriate
use
• Support progress towards UHC and disease-specific targets
• Ultimately contribute to achieving and sustaining positive
health outcomes [and impact]
Questions?
Recent Grad Experience
How did I get here?
• Dual undergrad degrees in biology and business
economics
• Developed interest in global health while on a service
trip to Guatemala
• Post graduation - moved to Guatemala, worked in
malnutrition center and medical clinic
• Came to BU 2012
• IH (GH) concentration with Pharmaceuticals Program
• Practicum at MSH after 2nd semester
• Was recruited by MSH during final semester
Practicum Experience
• Completed my practicum with David Lee Chin
• Spent 4 weeks analyzing data/lit review of Costa
Rica’s experience with financing for pharmaceuticals
under universal health coverage
Projects I have worked on
• Documentation of pharmaceutical systems and governance
activities under SIAPS
• Development of eLearning course “Good Governance in the
Management of Medicines” available from GHeL (free eLearning
site by USAID)
• Still developing accompanying videos, first two are available on
YouTube here and here
• Options Analysis of TB Supply Chain in the Philippines available here
• Analyzing Options for Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems
• Partnered with Global Alliance for TB Drug Development working
with countries to introduce a new pediatric TB treatment
formulation
• Defining and Measuring Pharmaceutical Systems Strengthening
discussion paper on definitions available here
Intern and Employment
Opportunities
Intern Program Overview
• Internships are available in the Boston and DC metro areas
• MSH interns are not placed outside of the US and do not
travel internationally for MSH.
• Internships for MSH’s Pharmaceuticals and Health
Technologies (PHT) Group are only located in the DC-area.
• Internships with PHT can count towards the BUSPH
Pharmaceuticals Program practicum requirement
• Projects with PHT are technical in nature (not administrative)
and are customized with the student’s interests and goals in
mind
• PHT interns are encouraged to take advantage of all that MSH
and the DC-area have to offer
Recent Intern Projects
• PHT intern projects are customized to meet the
needs/interests of both MSH and the student.
• Project assignments vary widely and encompass all areas of
global pharmaceutical management. Most involve a literature
review and/or data analysis.
• Some recent projects include:
• Comparative mapping of essential medicines for chronic
non-communicable diseases
• Literature search of approaches and pharmacovigilance of
mass drug administration programs for neglected tropical
diseases and seasonal malaria chemoprevention
• Identification of supply chain management-related
indicators across all SIAPS intermediate results
How to Apply
1. Make sure you meet MSH and PHT’s requirements:
• Will receive credit for your internship
• Able to relocate to the DC-area for the internship (all PHT
internships are located in Arlington, but internships in
other MSH offices/groups are available in the Boston-area)
• Able to support yourself financially (All MSH internships
are unpaid)
2. Look at the SIAPS website (www.siapsprogram.org) to get an
idea of the work we do and products we develop in PHT.
3. Reach out to Kiley Workman ([email protected]) with
your resume.
Employment at MSH
• All jobs at MSH offices worldwide are posted online:
• http://www.msh.org/work-with-us
• Recent BUSPH graduates are best suited for roles in
Bands E-H with the following titles:
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Technical Associate
Project Associate
Project Support Officer
Communications Associate/Specialist
Business Development Associate/Specialist
Results Associate/Specialist
Questions?
Contact Info:
Maura Soucy Brown
[email protected]
703-310-3428