SPS Ukraine Associate Award: Final Report

The project aimed to strengthen pharmaceutical systems in Ukraine, focusing on improving access to and use of essential medicines for tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS). In 2009, the Ukraine Ministry of Health reported that TB was the leading cause of death from infectious diseases in the country, with a high burden of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). Ukraine also had the most severe HIV/AIDS epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with an estimated 350,000 people living with HIV and an adult prevalence rate of 1.1 percent. The SPS program collaborated with key stakeholders to implement the eTB Manager, a web-based program designed to strengthen TB programs and improve program outcomes. The eTB Manager was adapted to the Ukrainian environment and developed capacity to use the system at national and oblast levels, with initial rollout to rayons. By December 2012, two-thirds of oblasts were entering data into the eTB Manager on a regular basis, with over 50,000 cases entered. SPS Ukraine provided on-site support to oblast and national level TB facilities to reinforce training on the eTB Manager and resolve ongoing implementation issues. A core group of users provided ongoing feedback on the system, and training and other support to their peers. Initial benefits included reinforcement of the need for accurate reporting and recording, and information on facilities that provide TB case management by oblast. The eTB Manager obtained official designation as the official national TB electronic registry and received the security certificate for the eTB Manager, in accordance with Ukrainian law on patient confidentiality and data security. The project's primary focus on pharmaceutical management information systems (PMIS) was on scaling up implementation of the eTB Manager to provide adequate information related to TB case management and product availability. SPS activities contributed to the four core technical objectives for improving access to and use of essential medicines for TB and HIV/AIDS. The project's achievements included adaptation of the eTB Manager to the Ukrainian environment, development of capacity to use the system at national and oblast levels, and initial rollout to rayons. The project also provided on-site support to oblast and national level TB facilities and reinforced training on the eTB Manager. The project's success was attributed to the collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ukraine Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization/EURO, and other international partners. The project's achievements demonstrated the importance of strengthening pharmaceutical systems in Ukraine, particularly in the areas of TB and HIV/AIDS.