Swaziland Pharmaceutical Strategic Plan (2012–2016) End-term Review Report

The plan was developed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) with technical and financial support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) program. The SPSP aimed to improve governance, build capacity for pharmaceutical management and services, address information needs for decision-making in the pharmaceutical sector, strengthen financing strategies and mechanisms to improve access to medicines, and increase quality pharmaceutical services. The plan was implemented in three strategic areas: supply of pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical quality assurance, and human resources. The end-term review report of the SPSP was compiled with support from the USAID-funded SIAPS program, implemented by Management Sciences for Health. The report presents the findings of the review, which was conducted in 2017. The review assessed the progress made in implementing the SPSP and identified areas for improvement. The review found that the response rate for participating health facilities was high, with 95% of facilities participating in the review. The review also found that the participation rate was higher in the northern region of Swaziland compared to the southern region. The review assessed the progress made in implementing the SPSP in four strategic areas: supply of pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical quality assurance, human resources, and rational medicine use. The review found that the supply of pharmaceuticals improved during the implementation period, with a significant increase in the availability of essential medicines. However, the review also found that the quality of pharmaceuticals was a concern, with many facilities reporting stockouts of essential medicines. The review also found that the human resources capacity in the pharmaceutical sector improved during the implementation period, with many facilities reporting an increase in the number of trained pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The review also found that the rational use of medicines improved during the implementation period, with many facilities reporting an increase in the use of essential medicines and a decrease in the use of non-essential medicines. However, the review also found that the use of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) medicines was a concern, with many facilities reporting stockouts of these medicines. The review concluded that the SPSP made significant progress in improving the availability and quality of pharmaceutical products and services in Swaziland. However, the review also identified areas for improvement, including the need to strengthen the pharmaceutical quality assurance system and improve the availability of essential medicines. The review recommended that the MOH continue to implement the SPSP and build on the progress made during the implementation period. The review also recommended that the MOH strengthen the pharmaceutical quality assurance system by implementing a quality management system that meets current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) standards. The review also recommended that the MOH improve the availability of essential medicines by increasing the stock levels of these medicines and improving the logistics management information system (LMIS). The review also recommended that the MOH improve the human resources capacity in the pharmaceutical sector by increasing the number of trained pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The review also recommended that the MOH improve the rational use of medicines by implementing a rational medicine use program that promotes the use of essential medicines and reduces the use of non-essential medicines. The review also recommended that the MOH strengthen the financing strategies and mechanisms to improve access to medicines by increasing the budget allocation for pharmaceutical services and improving the logistics management information system (LMIS). The review also recommended that the MOH increase the availability of essential medicines by increasing the stock levels of these medicines and improving the logistics management information system (LMIS). The review also recommended that the MOH improve the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system by implementing a robust M&E system that tracks the progress made in implementing the SPSP and identifies areas for improvement. The review also recommended that the MOH strengthen the partnership with stakeholders by increasing the collaboration with partners and improving the communication with stakeholders.