Regional Training Workshop: Compendial Analysis of Lumefantrine and Artemether Tablets

The training was organized by the Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM) program, implemented by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), in collaboration with the Suriname Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The training aimed to equip analysts with the skills to analyze lumefantrine and artemether tablets according to the USP monograph. The training consisted of lectures and hands-on activities in the laboratory, covering topics such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Dissolution, including performance verification testing (PVT), Ultraviolet (UV) Absorption, and Thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The lecture series also covered good laboratory practices (GLP) and good documentation practices (GDP). A total of 21 individuals participated in the lectures, and 10 in the hands-on training. The training was regional, including scientists from Suriname, Brazil, Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The latter three countries were supported through funding provided by the USP Technical Assistance Program (TAP). The training was conducted at the Bedrijf Geneesmiddelen Voorziening Suriname (BGVS) lab, with the support of Ms. Sheila Kort and her staff. In addition to the training, PQM staff met with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and PAHO to discuss an awareness campaign strategy as a follow-up to the malaria medicine quality study results. The study, conducted in 2009, aimed to determine the prevalence of poor-quality medicines in the private and informal sectors in Suriname. The study found that malaria medicines were often obtained from the private and informal sectors in the interior region of Suriname, where access to public health facilities was limited. PQM shared the findings with the medicine regulatory authority (MRA) and is working with the country to develop corrective and preventative actions through an awareness campaign and by strengthening the technical capacity of the BGVS lab to analyze malaria medicines. The training was funded by the United States Agency for International Development/Peru (USAID/Peru) through the Amazon Malaria Initiative (AMI) and by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) through the Technical Assistance Program (TAP). The training was a success, with participants indicating that they had gained valuable skills and knowledge in compendial analysis. The training evaluation, as reported in Annex 3, showed that participants were satisfied with the training and felt that it had met its objectives. The training was well-organized, and the trainers were knowledgeable and experienced. The participants appreciated the hands-on training and the opportunity to work with real samples. The training outcomes were positive, with participants indicating that they had gained the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze lumefantrine and artemether tablets according to the USP monograph. The training was a significant step towards improving the quality of medicines in Suriname and the region, and it is expected to have a positive impact on public health. The training was a collaborative effort between PQM, the Suriname Ministry of Health, PAHO, and the USP. The success of the training was due to the hard work and dedication of the trainers, the participants, and the organizers. The training is a testament to the commitment of the partners to improving the quality of medicines and protecting public health. The training has also contributed to the development of the technical capacity of the BGVS lab to analyze malaria medicines. The lab is now equipped to conduct compendial analysis of lumefantrine and artemether tablets, which will help to ensure the quality and safety of these medicines. The training has also laid the foundation for future collaborations between PQM, the Suriname Ministry of Health, PAHO, and the USP. The partners are committed to continuing their work together to improve the quality of medicines and protect public health. The training has also laid the foundation for future collaborations between PQM, the Suriname Ministry of Health, PAHO, and the USP. The partners are committed