Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM) Project Update for Q1: Oct-Dec 2012

government and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) to address the issue of substandard and counterfeit medicines (SCMs) in developing countries. The program aims to strengthen national capacity in quality assurance and quality control, improve the supply of quality-assured medicines, and provide technical leadership to combat SCMs. PQM provides technical assistance to 35 countries to build capacity and quality assurance systems. The program conducts baseline assessments of quality assurance systems in countries and proposes work plans for USAID approval. PQM has helped establish medicine quality monitoring activities in 26 countries, which have identified counterfeit and substandard antimalarial, tuberculosis, and other essential medicines. The program also focuses on increasing the supply of quality-assured medicines by working with manufacturers to improve their good manufacturing practices (GMP) and achieve WHO prequalification. PQM has assisted 18 national quality laboratories in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to become ISO 17025:2005 accredited or WHO prequalified. In addition, PQM provides technical leadership to raise awareness about the importance of quality-assured medicines and the dangers of SCMs. The program conducts public awareness-raising workshops, presentations, and communication campaigns to inform the public about the risks associated with SCMs. PQM's efforts have led to significant achievements, including the establishment of a system of medicines quality monitoring in several countries, the identification of counterfeit and substandard medicines, and the improvement of GMP compliance among manufacturers. The program's objectives are to: 1. Build capacity and quality assurance systems in countries to address the issue of SCMs. 2. Increase the supply of quality-assured medicines by working with manufacturers to improve their GMP and achieve WHO prequalification. 3. Provide technical leadership to raise awareness about the importance of quality-assured medicines and the dangers of SCMs. PQM's work has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations, and the program continues to receive funding from USAID and other donors to support its activities. In conclusion, the PQM program is a critical effort to address the issue of SCMs in developing countries. By building capacity and quality assurance systems, increasing the supply of quality-assured medicines, and providing technical leadership, PQM is making significant progress in improving public health outcomes.