221.610.01
Pharmaceuticals Management for Under-Served Populations

Prerequisite:

This course recommends evaluative health services experience. Either Introduction to International Health (220.601); Problem Solving in Public Health (550.608); Applications in Managing Health Organizations in LMICs (221.602); Health Systems in LMICs (221.646); or equivalent work experience qualifies.

Description:

Analyzes problems and develops strategies based on real world pharmaceutical systems management issues, including the manufacture, procurement, distribution, safety, policy and regulation, and financing of pharmaceuticals, based upon both high income, and low and middle-income country examples. Demonstrates the complexity of ensuring and expanding access to medicines. Identifies stakeholders within the regional and national health systems. Defines strategies for improved pharmaceutical policy and service delivery between existing government ministries and donors, non-governmental and community-based organization. Uses various pharmaceutical systems frameworks to learn how to strategically prepare and plan for the sustainability of such services and staff. Takes a multidisciplinary approach to provide students with an operational understanding of factors influencing access, availability, affordability, and utilization of pharmaceuticals.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the key factors in the Drug Management Cycle, including selection, procurement, distribution, policy and regulation, and rational use of pharmaceuticals
2. Define key terms and concepts that impact pharmaceuticals and their management in developing countries and within underserved populations
3. Identify and explain the relative strengths and weaknesses of alternative ways to raise revenues and finance pharmaceuticals and their related services
4. Apply the Problem Solving framework and related assessment tools to evaluate a timely pharmaceutical systems challenge, both through individual and group work
5. Create a strategic plan to address a focused pharmaceutical challenge that offers feasible options to strengthen local capacity to achieve desired health outcomes
6. Collaborate effectively in teams to identify potential pharmaceuticals systems obstacles and present solutions to funders and/or a country's Health Minister

Methods of Assessment:

This course is evaluated as follows:

• 30% Quizzes
• 20% Individual Advocacy Brief
• 25% Group Consultancy Presentation
• 25% Attendance and Participation

Enrollment Restriction:

Undergraduate students must request consent prior to enrolling

Instructor Consent:

Consent required for some students

Consent Note:

Consent required for undergraduate students. Students should send a brief email to Course Director with background and rationale for taking this Course.

For consent, contact: meng@jhu.edu

For consent, contact:

meng@jhu.edu