PQM+ PY1 Q3 Quarterly 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+ is working in 16 countries in Africa, Asia, and Central Asia, with offices in six countries: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The program is also working in Burma, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, and is in discussions to begin work in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Ghana. PQM+ received core funding for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), maternal and child health (MCH), and tuberculosis (TB). The PQM+ program has five program objectives: 1) improve governance for medical product quality assurance systems, 2) improve country and regional regulatory systems to assure the quality of medical products in the public and private sectors, 3) optimize and increase financial resources for medical product quality assurance, 4) increase the supply of quality-assured essential medical products of public health importance, and 5) advance a global medical products quality assurance learning and operational agenda. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 (April–June 2020), PQM+ undertook various activities to support these objectives. The program provided technical support and leadership to create resilient and sustainable local health systems that ensure access to quality-assured essential medicines for HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, NTDs, and other infectious diseases, as well as for MCH. PQM+ worked with country Missions and health elements to improve medical product quality assurance systems. The program's activities included providing training and capacity building for regulatory authorities, conducting inspections and assessments, and developing and implementing quality management systems. PQM+ also worked with industry partners to improve the quality of medical products and to increase the supply of quality-assured essential medical products. The program's progress was measured against its five program objectives. PQM+ made significant progress in improving governance for medical product quality assurance systems, improving country and regional regulatory systems, and increasing the supply of quality-assured essential medical products. The program also made progress in advancing a global medical products quality assurance learning and operational agenda. PQM+ received core funding for NTDs, MCH, and TB, which enabled the program to expand its activities in these areas. The program's work in these areas included providing technical support to regulatory authorities, conducting inspections and assessments, and developing and implementing quality management systems. Overall, PQM+ made significant progress during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. The program's activities and progress reflect its commitment to improving medical product quality assurance systems in LMICs and to advancing a global medical products quality assurance learning and operational agenda.