221.610.01
Pharmaceutical Systems: Advancing Access to Medicines in the Field
Location
East Baltimore
Term
3rd Term
Department
International Health
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Tu, Th, 10:30 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
This course recommends evaluative health services experience. Either Foundations of International Health (220.601); Problem Solving in Public Health (550.608); Applications in Managing Health Organizations in LMICs (221.602); Health Systems in LMICs (221.646); or equivalent work experience qualifies.
Our goal is for you to develop an operational understanding of pharmaceutical systems within LMICs and other underserved populations. We will discuss the factors, policies, and regulations influencing medicines availability and access: procurement and shortages, utilization, supply chain issues, budgeting, inventory, and financing. We describe the role of government, non-governmental organizations, and the public/private sectors on pharmaceutical innovation, services, and staffing.
Analyzes problems and develops strategies based on real world pharmaceutical systems issues, including the procurement, distribution, safety, policy and regulation, and financing of medicines, based upon both HIC and LMICs situations. Demonstrates the complexity of ensuring and expanding access to medicines. Identifies stakeholders within the regional and national health systems and current supply chain challenges for medicines. Defines strategies for improved pharmaceutical policy and service delivery between existing government ministries and donors, non-governmental and community-based organizations. Uses select pharmaceutical systems frameworks to learn how to strategically prepare and plan for the function and sustainability of such services and staff. Emphasizes a multisectoral approach with an operational understanding of factors influencing access, availability, affordability, and utilization of pharmaceuticals.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the key factors in the Drug Management Cycle, including selection, procurement, distribution, policy and regulation, and rational use of pharmaceuticals
- Define key terms and concepts that impact pharmaceuticals and their management in developing countries and within underserved populations
- Identify and explain the relative strengths and weaknesses of alternative ways to raise revenues and finance pharmaceuticals and their related services
- Apply the Problem Solving framework and related assessment tools to evaluate a timely pharmaceutical systems challenge, both through individual and group work
- Create a strategic plan to address a focused pharmaceutical challenge that offers feasible options to strengthen local capacity to achieve desired health outcomes
- Collaborate effectively in teams to identify potential pharmaceuticals systems obstacles and present solutions to funders and/or a country's Health Minister
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 30% Quizzes
- 20% Individual Advocacy Brief
- 25% Group Consultancy Presentation
- 25% Attendance and Participation
Enrollment Restriction
Undergraduate students must request consent prior to enrolling