What Gets Defined, Gets Measured: Definitions and a Framework for Measuring Pharmaceutical Systems Strengthening
Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program
Please join the USAID-funded Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program on December 6 at 8:00 am EST for a webinar “What Gets Defined, Gets Measured: Definitions and a Framework for Measuring Pharmaceutical Systems Strengthening.”
Although a variety of tools are available to measure different elements of pharmaceutical systems, few attempts have been made to conceptualize a “pharmaceutical system” as an entity and there is no clearly defined approach for tracking progress in strengthening this critical health subsystem.
The absence of clear definitions and reliable measures creates a critical information gap. Countries and donors lack information to guide investments in pharmaceutical systems strengthening and the tools needed to evaluate related interventions. This shortfall also raises the issue of the resilience of health systems and their ability to respond to health emergencies, economic crises, and other challenges.
This webinar will present definitions of a pharmaceutical system and pharmaceutical system strengthening and describe the work undertaken by SIAPS to develop these definitions and identify metrics for tracking progress in strengthening pharmaceutical systems, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.