Sex and Gender Implications in the Workforce Development Plan for PSCM and Pharmacovigilance

In the Philippines, the program is supporting the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in institutionalizing an integrated and effective procurement and supply chain management (PSCM) system and establishing a support system for pharmacovigilance (PV) for health commodities. A functional analysis of workforce needs for the desired PSCM and PV functions of DOH was conducted in 2020. The analysis identified competency gaps of the staff and division and developed a comprehensive workforce development plan (WFDP) to respond to the identified gaps and create a learning culture with opportunities for staff to develop professionally. However, the assessment did not consider the competency of the workforce with regard to the impact of sex and gender on PV and PSCM. The goal of this report is to highlight where training is necessary to ensure that staff understand the impact that sex and gender has on PV and PSCM and to provide recommendations for increasing the competency of the workforce in understanding the unique and important roles that sex and gender play in pharmaceutical services. The report emphasizes that providing opportunities for growth and training will afford the supply chain management (SCMS) and PV systems the human capital necessary to continue to protect, promote, and improve the health of individuals and communities in the Philippines. Health systems that fail to address any form of inequity can produce a range of consequences, including higher morbidity and mortality and decreased health indicators among those experiencing inequalities. Gender equity is an important component of healthy and equitable PSCM and PV systems as well as an essential element of overall good stewardship in meeting the needs of the population. Gender mainstreaming aims to address sex and gender explicitly in policy through a systems approach that integrates gender analysis and gender impact assessment at every level of policy. The report highlights that the Philippines has made significant advances in gender equity in various areas, including political commitment and gendered policies, labor force participation, education and literacy levels, political empowerment, and health. However, inconsistencies in policies and their implementation, coupled with sociocultural norms that influence disparities between males and females, minority populations, by age groups, and between poor and wealthier communities, remain a challenge. The report emphasizes that gender equity means there is fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits, power, resources, and responsibilities between women and men. Women and men have different needs, power, and access to resources, and these differences need to be identified and addressed to ensure that health systems are equitable and effective in meeting the needs of all populations. The report provides recommendations for increasing the competency of the workforce in understanding the unique and important roles that sex and gender play in pharmaceutical services. These recommendations include incorporating sex and gender basics into competency gaps, developing a gender-balanced pharmaceutical workforce, and providing training and opportunities for growth and development. The report emphasizes that a strong stewardship function within the health system can help take these recommendations forward and that small changes can bring about further change in addressing gender equity in health systems.