Global Medicines Program

September 30, 2014

GMP faculty facilitate 3-day workshop on pharmacoeconomics in Namibia

Lou Garrison and Joseph Babigumira conducted a 3-day workshop titled, “Applying Pharmacoeconomics to Essential Medicines Selection: Strengthening Health Technology Assessment in Namibia” August 27-29, 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia. The workshop was offered in conjunction with Management Sciences for Health (MSH) through the USAID-funded Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program. The three-day workshop was attended by nearly three dozen participants from academia (including lecturers from the University Of Namibia School Of Pharmacy), essential medicines committees, and government. MSH staff members also attended, including Evans Sagwa, Country Project Director – SIAPS/SCMS Namibia, and Greatjoy Mazibuko, Senior Technical Advisor, CPM/SIAPS.

The objectives of the workshop were:PharmEconTraining2014b

  • Provide basic concepts, terminology, and methods of pharmacoeconomic and HTA
  • Gain an understanding of evidence-based approach to economic evaluation
  • Develop an understanding of basic calculations of costs, health outcomes, and cost-effectiveness
  • Gain an understanding of how to interpret/ understand the results of pharmacoeconomic studies
  • Develop practical skills in the use of basic cost-effectiveness tools and measures to help in the selection of medicines, pricing regulation, and formulary decisions
  • Understand the methods of meta-analysis and evidence synthesis as it relates to essential medicines
  • Understand the potential impact of the introduction of new health technology on essential medicines budget
  • Promote discussion among the different types of practitioners attending the meeting including academics, the drugs and therapeutics committee members, and other professionals.
  • Promote discussion on the potential role for HTA to improve pharmaceutical use and resource allocation in Namibia.