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Pharmacovigilance in public health programmes. Author: Oscar O Simooya, Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia Presented at the training course for introducing pharmacovigilance in public health programmes 1 –10 September 2004, Pretoria , South Africa. 1. Topics. Introduction Definitions
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Pharmacovigilance in public health programmes Author: Oscar O Simooya, Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia Presented at the training course for introducing pharmacovigilance in public health programmes 1 –10 September 2004, Pretoria , South Africa 1
Topics • Introduction • Definitions • Challenges of pharmacotherapy • SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV • Update on the malaria PV project • Conclusion • Acknowledgements 2
Introduction • no drug is completely safe • drugs may contribute to 5 –10% of all hospital admissions • 10 –20% of all inpatients may suffer a serious ADR in hospital • ADRs 4th to 6th leading cause of deaths in USA • ADRs may contribute 5 –10% of hopsitalcosts
Therefore ……… the monitoring of the adverse effects of drugs is an important component of good medical practice
Hippocrates (460 –377 B.C.) ‘ Above all, do no harm ’
Definitions ….. Public health The science or art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency through organised community effort
Definitions….. Pharmacovigilance The science for the detection,assessment and prevention of adverse reactions to drugs
Components of public health programmes (PHPs) • education • environmental modification • nutrition intervention • lifestyle and behaviour change • pharmacotherapy
Goals and objectives of pharmacovigilance • the rationale and safe use of drugs • the assessment and communication of benefits/risks of drugs • educating and informing patients
Goals and objectives of pharmacovigilance ……. Specific objectives • early detection of hitherto unknown ADRs • detection of increases in frequency of known ADRs • identification of risk factors and possible mechanisms underlying ADRs • estimation of benefit/risk • dissemination of information
Challenges of pharmacotherapy in PHPs …. • may use agencies and staff with a wide variety of skills and patients may not be seen by a physician • insufficient diagnosis and follow up • large numbers exposed, may include special populations i.e. pregnant &breast feeding mothers
Challenges of pharmacotherapy in PHPs …. • use of new drugs with limited experience, i.e. ARVs, ACTs; use of substandard drugs;incorrect use of drugs;counterfeit drugs • weak health care systems, often poor drug control/legislation
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV Strengths of PHPs • well established roles • usually well funded • technical guidelines • monitoring and evaluation procedures • good databases
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV …… Strengths of PV • new drugs , high interest in drug safety • exists in a few African countries • expertise in assessment of drug safety • training in benefit/risk assessment • good international support, WHO, UMC
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV …… Weaknesses of PHPs • lack experience in drug safety monitoring • drugs used in PHPs considered safe • lack of coordination between PHPs, duplication • may cover special populations
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV …… Weaknesses of PV • relatively new concept • role not well recognised • poorly funded, considered a luxury • not seen as a component of PHPs
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV …… Opportunities together, PV and PHPs may greatly benefit each other. PV will assist in the early identification and prevention of ADRs and product quality problem ……..
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV …… Opportunities PHPs may provide resources, reliable databases,M&E tools leading to …….
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV …… Opportunities • rationale drug use • better patient adherence • improved drug procurement All this will lead to …….
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV …… BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES AND RESOURCE SAVINGS
SWOT analysis of PHPs and PV ….. Threats • lack of political/public support • funding shortfalls • misunderstanding of each other’s roles
Background • artemisinins highly effective for malaria • recommended in combination for use in malaria endemic regions • efficacy and safety well documented in SEA • new to malaria area of Africa
Therefore …….. Need to monitor efficacy and safety in new populations and in areas with co morbid conditions such as HIV/AIDS, TB and malnutrition
Launched …….. March/April 2003 following training workshop on phamarcovigilance held in Lusaka, Zambia to introduce drug safety monitoring in Burundi, DRC, Mozambique, Zambia and Zanzibar
Lusaka workshop • organised by WHO and UMC • attended by national malaria managers & drug regulatory authorities • course based on international PV course run by UMC • basic skills in ADR monitoring covered
…. Lusaka workshop Resolutions • draft action plans from each country • action plans to be presented to health authorities • monitoring to cover antimalarials but to extend to HIV/AIDS, TB and immunisation programmes
Project Description Goals • to introduce PV in Burundi, DRC, Mozambique, Zambia and Zanzibar • initially planned to monitor ACTs but to roll out to other PHPs
Project description Specific objectives/activities • training in PV for key personnel • introduce concept of PV to health authorities • prepare proposals and protocols for ADR monitoring • creation of centres for PV, staff, equipment
Project description Specific objectives /activities • prepare case report forms • create databases • training of health personnel • stimulation of reporting • linkage to international networks
Achievements • Training of PV resource persons • took place March/April 2003 • attended by 18 malaria managers and drug regulators • basic skills of ADR monitoring and operations of PV centres
Achievements Government approval written commitment to PV obtained in all countries, in DRC Minister of Health wrote to WHO supporting PV and in Burundi, met with Minister of Health to discuss PV
Achievements Preparation of proposals and protocols prepared and submitted in all countries. Includes detailed budgets for operation of PV centres
Achievements Creation of PV centres, design of case forms and data base Location of centres agreed: Burundi –directorate of pharmacy, DRC – drug regulatory offices, Mozambique – CIMed, Zambia – pharmacy board, Zanzibar – malaria programme
Achievements Training of health workers On going in all countries, latest in DRC for nursing staff, from 13th August 2004
Achievements Preparation of case report forms AVAILABLE IN ALL COUNTRIES
Challenges Creation of data base compatible with the WHO programme AWAITS DEVELOPMENT IN ALL COUNTRIES
Needs assessment • source funding for activities • continued training • stimulation of reporting • creation of databases • networking with other PHPs
Lessons learnt • good progress in all countries • need for PV recognised • training of key personnel vital • government and international support needed • linkages with international network need strengthening
Recommendations • culture of reporting ADRs must be stimulated • development of data bases • training of health workers vital • integration with other PHPs • networking with international groups must continue
Conclusion Good progress made in early implementation with key personnel in place and active. Need to scale up activities with stimulation of reporting and data collection
Acknowledgements • Participating countries • World Health Organisation • Uppsala Monitoring Centre • University of Cape Town • Colleagues