Eugène van Puijenbroek, Abbie Barry, Christabel Khaemba, Lazare Ntirenganya, Tigist Dires Gebreyesus, Adam Fimbo, Omary Minzi, Eyasu Makonnen, Margaret Oluka, Anastasia Guantai, Eleni Aklillu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Continuous professional development among stakeholders involved in drug safety monitoring and surveillance is imperative in strengthening pharmacovigilance (PV) systems. The "Pharmacovigilance infrastructure and post-marketing surveillance system capacity building for regional medicine regulatory harmonization in East Africa" (PROFORMA) project aims to enhance the national PV infrastructure, post-marketing surveillance systems and clinical trial regulatory capabilities in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda. To achieve this, training, including short-term training (STT) activities, at various levels is required. This article aims to describe the experiences of the authors during the development and implementation of STT in an attempt to improve the PV training landscape of these countries. To identify gaps, a baseline assessment of PV teaching and practices at the national medicines regulatory authorities (NMRAs) and medical universities was conducted. Five successive training sessions, tailored to each country's specific needs and regulatory environments, were conducted; three focusing on fundamental concepts in PV and two dedicated to training-of-trainers courses. The training targeted staff from PV units of the NMRAs and medical universities. Enabling participation from all four countries in the same training fostered cross-country learning and collaboration. The contribution of STT to university education and the operational methodologies within NMRAs are explored, showcasing the impact on knowledge transfer and skill development in each country. In conclusion, by investing strategically in STT activities and fostering partnerships with academic institutions and NMRAs, we demonstrated a sustainable approach to PV capacity strengthening in resource-limited settings. The success of this model underscores its potential for adoption and replication across the African continent, offering a valuable framework for strengthening drug safety regulation and ultimately protecting public health.
期刊介绍:
Drug Safety is the official journal of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance. The journal includes:
Overviews of contentious or emerging issues.
Comprehensive narrative reviews that provide an authoritative source of information on epidemiology, clinical features, prevention and management of adverse effects of individual drugs and drug classes.
In-depth benefit-risk assessment of adverse effect and efficacy data for a drug in a defined therapeutic area.
Systematic reviews (with or without meta-analyses) that collate empirical evidence to answer a specific research question, using explicit, systematic methods as outlined by the PRISMA statement.
Original research articles reporting the results of well-designed studies in disciplines such as pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacovigilance, pharmacology and toxicology, and pharmacogenomics.
Editorials and commentaries on topical issues.
Additional digital features (including animated abstracts, video abstracts, slide decks, audio slides, instructional videos, infographics, podcasts and animations) can be published with articles; these are designed to increase the visibility, readership and educational value of the journal’s content. In addition, articles published in Drug Safety Drugs may be accompanied by plain language summaries to assist readers who have some knowledge of, but not in-depth expertise in, the area to understand important medical advances.