Report on Systems and Pharmacovigilance Gap Analysis for Desired PSCM and PV Functions of the LGUs for Implementing UHC Law

For decades, facilities have struggled with stock-outs, overstocking, and expiries. A 2016 survey on the availability of essential medicines in public health facilities revealed that the availability of a basket of essential medicines was consistently below 66 percent. The availability of essential maternal and child health care supplies in health facilities was also less than 60 percent. The USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) program, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), aims to strengthen the country's pharmaceutical systems. The program focuses on improving access to essential medical products and related services, ensuring better health outcomes for the population. MTaPS brings expertise honed over decades of pharmaceutical systems strengthening across more than 40 countries. The MTaPS program is implemented by a consortium of global and local partners, led by Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit. The program includes core partners, such as Boston University, FHI 360, and Overseas Strategic Consultancy, as well as global expert partners, such as Deloitte USA and the University of Washington. A virtual workshop on procurement and supply chain management (PSCM) and pharmacovigilance (PV) was conducted on February 17, 2021, for local government units (LGUs) and DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs). The workshop aimed to assess the current status of PSCM and PV in the Philippines and identify gaps and challenges. The workshop brought together 147 participants, including 92 females, 50 males, and 5 unknown, representing various LGUs and DOH CHDs. The workshop participants agreed on a common vision for LGUs to have a more mature PSCM and PV system within the next five years. They emphasized the need for LGUs to be compliant with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law and its implementing regulations. The participants also agreed that LGUs need technical assistance (TA) and training from the DOH and development partners to set up a well-functioning PSCM and PV system. The workshop participants identified several key areas for improvement, including the establishment of a special health fund (SHF) for self-reliance, the development of a competent PSCM and PV workforce, and the use of an end-to-end management information system for decision-making. They also emphasized the need for a pool of local technical assistance providers (LTAPs) who can engage with LGUs and DOH. The USAID MTaPS program aims to strengthen the country's pharmaceutical systems, improve access to essential medical products and related services, and ensure better health outcomes for the population. The program is implemented by a consortium of global and local partners, led by Management Sciences for Health (MSH). The program includes core partners, such as Boston University, FHI 360, and Overseas Strategic Consultancy, as well as global expert partners, such as Deloitte USA and the University of Washington. The workshop participants identified several key areas for improvement, including the establishment of a special health fund (SHF) for self-reliance, the development of a competent PSCM and PV workforce, and