who medicines strategy - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization

WHO MEDICINES STRATEGY 2004-2007 | 34EO 1.4Human resources capacity increasedin the pharmaceutical sectorthrough education and trainingprogrammes to develop capacityand to motivate and retainpersonnel in sufficient numberswithin a clearly defined andorganized structureRationaleEffective medicines policy implementation canonly be achieved when appropriate numbers ofwell-trained and motivated pharmaceutical staffare employed and functioning in an efficientway. Motivation arises as a result of an effectivepolicy, a clear understanding of the rationale andobjectives of the policy, adequate remunerationfor work, well-defined roles and responsibilities,and clear standards for performance.ProgressIn 2002 alone, WHO support to countriesincluded the training of nearly 900 healthprofessionals in: medicines regulation, qualityassurance, and anti-counterfeit activities; rationaluse of medicines by health professionals; publicsector medicines supply; national medicinespolicy development and monitoring; the impactof trade agreements on access to medicines;medicines financing and pricing; improvingmedicines use by consumers; and establishmentof pharmaceutical norms and standards 9 . Thesetraining programmes were held in all six WHOregions, in English, French, and Spanish.Challenges remainingIn many countries, policy implementation isconstrained by the lack of sufficient numbers ofadequately trained and motivated pharmaceuticalstaff and difficulties in retaining trained staff. Insome sub-Saharan countries there are less than10 pharmacists in the public service. In addition,other health professionals are not adequatelyeducated about the essential medicinesconcept, which is central to understandingand implementing a national medicines policy.Although WHO offers a number of trainingcourses, the challenge is to ensure that coursesare integrated into larger strategies to build humancapacity in pharmaceuticals, that appropriateparticipants are identified and selected, and thatthey receive follow-up support.Meeting the challenges 2004-2007Over the next four years WHO will:> provide technical assistance to governmentswith severe staff shortages to help themaddress key policy issues (including supportin the development of strategies to train andretain pharmaceutical staff and to improve theknowledge of all health professionals in theconcept of essential medicines).> work with universities to ensure theintegration of the essential medicines conceptin curricula for health professionals.> maximize the impact of WHO trainingcourses through: ensuring that courses fit intobroader strategies to increase human resourcecapacity in pharmaceuticals; courses arefocused on relevant topics, regularly updated,and available in the appropriate languages;participants are carefully selected and receivefollow-up support.