Background
The global health agenda increasingly emphasizes Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the post 2015 agenda. Next to the critical diseases of poverty (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a new focus of attention in low and middle income countries. Medicines for NCDs have received attention mainly regarding research on availability and cost resp. affordability. However to our knowledge there are no courses aimed at management of medicines and supplies for NCDs as of yet. Management of medicines (MM) for NCDs comprises for instance aspects of policies for medicines lists, procurement and supply issues, financing and adherence.
Considering the efforts in many low and middle income countries (LMIC) to introduce health insurance schemes and the concurrent rise of NCDs following the epidemiological transition, capacity building in the area of medicines management for NCDs is of critical importance.
Collaboration with Kühne Foundation will offer the unique opportunity to integrate excellence and expertise in logistics with the longstanding experience of a global public health team in the management of pharmaceuticals in resource constrained settings.
Objectives
To enable health professionals to understand and apply the concepts and principles of rational medicine management with a focus on non-communicable diseases, to recognise the need for a national and international medicine policy environment, to improve knowledge and skills and to gain practical experience within a health system context in view of universal health coverage.
Target Group
Health professionals and managers with experience (at least two years) in international health and the pharmaceutical sector.
Course Structure and Training Methodology
The blended learning course Medicines management for NCDs - a contribution to UHC consists of four online modules, one NCD study to be conducted locally, two face to face encounters of five and two days each and a six months online follow-up.