Baseline assessment of pharmacovigilance activities in four sub-Saharan African countries: a perspective on tuberculosis

Everdina W. Tiemersma, Ibrahim Ali, Asnakech Alemu, Yohanna Kambai Avong, Alemayehu Duga, Cassandra Elagbaje, Ambrose Isah, Alexander Kay, Blandina Theophil Mmbaga, Elice Mmari, Kissa Mwamwitwa, Siphesihle Nhlabatsi, Kassech Sintayehu, Aida Arefayne, Mekonnen Teferi, Frank Cobelens, Linda Härmark

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Abstract

Background: New medicines have become available for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and are introduced in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by the national TB programs (NTPs) through special access schemes. Pharmacovigilance is typically the task of national medicines regulatory agencies (NMRAs), but the active drug safety monitoring and management (aDSM) recommended for the new TB medicines and regimens was introduced through the NTPs. We assessed the strengths and challenges of pharmacovigilance systems in Eswatini, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania, focusing on their capacity to monitor safety of medicines registered and not registered by the NMRAs for the treatment of DR-TB. Methods: Assessment visits were conducted to all four countries by a multidisciplinary team. We used a pharmacovigilance indicator tool derived from existing tools, interviewed key stakeholders, and visited health facilities where DR-TB patients were treated with new medicines. Assessment results were verified with the local NMRAs and NTPs. Results: Most countries have enabling laws, regulations and guidelines for the conduct of pharmacovigilance by the NMRAs. The relative success of NTP-NMRA collaboration is much influenced by interpersonal relationships between staff. Division of roles and responsibilities is not always clear and leads to duplication and unfulfilled tasks (e.g. causality assessment). The introduction of aDSM has increased awareness among DR-TB healthcare providers. Conclusion: aDSM has created awareness about the importance of pharmacovigilance among NTPs. In the future, a push for conducting pharmacovigilance through public health programs seems useful, but this needs to coincide with increased collaboration with between public health programs and NMRAs with clear formulation of roles and responsibilities.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1062
JournalBMC Health Services Research
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2021

Keywords

  • Health system assessment
  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Tuberculosis

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