PQM+ Program Year 1 Annual Report

Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) to sustainably strengthen medical product quality assurance systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). PQM+ works to improve medical product quality through cross-sectoral and systems strengthening approaches and the application of international quality assurance standards across the pharmaceutical system. PQM+ focuses on improving governance for medical product quality assurance systems, regulatory systems, financial resources, supply of quality-assured essential medical products, and advancing a global medical products quality assurance learning and operational agenda. The program's five objectives are detailed in the Results Framework, which outlines the program's priorities and activities. PQM+ builds on the legacy of USAID's PQM program, which was implemented from 2009 to 2014. The PQM+ program is implemented in several regions, including Africa, Asia, and Europe and Eurasia. In Africa, PQM+ works with countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Liberia to strengthen their medical product quality assurance systems. In Asia, PQM+ collaborates with countries such as Pakistan and the Philippines to improve their regulatory systems and increase the supply of quality-assured essential medical products. PQM+ uses a variety of tools and approaches to achieve its objectives, including the Risk-based Post-marketing Surveillance Tool, the Human Resources Assessment Tool, and the GMP Assessment Tool. The program also works with partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's International Diagnostics Centre to leverage their expertise and resources. In FY 2020, PQM+ made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The program strengthened regulatory systems in several countries, increased the supply of quality-assured essential medical products, and advanced a global medical products quality assurance learning and operational agenda. PQM+ also worked with countries to improve their governance for medical product quality assurance systems and increased financial resources for medical product quality assurance. PQM+ has a strong partnership with USAID and other stakeholders to achieve its objectives. The program's Results Framework outlines its priorities and activities, and PQM+ works closely with USAID country Missions and USAID/Washington to ensure that its activities align with USAID's development objectives. PQM+ also engages with other stakeholders, including the WHO, UNICEF, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's International Diagnostics Centre, to leverage their expertise and resources. Overall, PQM+ is a critical program that helps to strengthen medical product quality assurance systems in LMICs. By improving governance, regulatory systems, financial resources, and supply of quality-assured essential medical products, PQM+ helps to ensure access to quality-assured essential medicines for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, and other infectious diseases, as well as reproductive and maternal, newborn, and child health.