Strengthening Registration and Quality Assurance Systems for Generic ARVs, Related Medicines, and Devices in Namibia

In Namibia, USAID has been providing funding for technical assistance in the areas of pharmaceutical management and systems strengthening since 2003. During this period, the Rational Pharmaceutical Management Plus (RPM Plus) and Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) programs were implemented. RPM Plus supported interventions that largely focused on strengthening systems for antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programs. SPS focused on strengthening systems based on World Health Organization (WHO) building blocks, increasing the number of pharmaceutical personnel available for service delivery, strengthening policy coordination, and improving the regulatory functions of the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council. The MSH-led Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program focused on further strengthening regulatory and management systems in the pharmaceutical sector under the governance and health systems strategic area to support HIV and AIDS and other public health services.