Global Fund Pharmacovigilance Project
Global Fund Pharmacovigilance Project
Overview
Establishing a strong medicine safety monitoring system, also known as pharmacovigilance, is essential to protecting patients and ensuring the safe rollout of innovative medicines, treatments, and immunizations. However, pharmacovigilance systems in low- and middle-income countries remain insufficient. MSH has long worked to combat this disparity, specifically through the USAID-funded MTaPS program, and is building on these efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector, with support from the Global Fund.
The Global Fund Pharmacovigilance Project enhanced pharmacovigilance in three priority countries—Cameroon, Mozambique, and Senegal—by equipping them with the support and resources they needed to monitor, detect, and assess the adverse effects of medicines. In collaboration with local ministries of health, MSH provided technical assistance to improve the countries’ regulatory practices in preparation for the introduction of new health products to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The project’s multifaceted approach to promoting robust pharmacovigilance systems included:
- Developing and improving legal frameworks and regulations that promote pharmacovigilance implementation and adherence
- Streamlining organizational structures and communication networks
- Increasing human resource capacity
- Instituting regulatory processes that follow global best practices
- Enhancing IT infrastructure for pharmacovigilance reporting and digitalization of activities
Medicines Safety and Strengthening Pharmacovigilance in Senegal: Improving Adverse Drug Event Reporting by Involving the Bajenu Gox
To strengthen the pharmacovigilance system in Senegal, focus has been placed on building the capacity of stakeholders involved in the reporting of adverse drug reactions so they have the knowledge and skills they need. The Global Fund Pharmacovigilance Project focused specifically on certain community health actors who already serve as vital links to the appropriate use of medicines and promotion of health: the Bajenu Gox.
Building Medicine Safety Monitoring Systems that Safeguard People’s Health
Jessica Sullivan
Project Manager
Project Contact
Jessica Sullivan, MSH’s Project Manager for the Global Fund Pharmacovigilance Project, has an extensive background in contracts and grants administration, finance and operations, and overall project management. She spent 10 years as a Senior Contract Officer at MSH before leaving for a four-year tenure at the Research Program on Children and Adversity at the Boston College School of Social Work. She returned to MSH in 2021. Previously, Sullivan managed the Subawards department at Columbia University’s International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs and served as Deputy Director of Operations for the New York City Department of Health, Bureau of Tuberculosis Control. She holds a master’s degree in public administration, health policy, and management from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Vassar College.
Donors & Partners
Donors
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria