An event to increase countries awareness about global standards (GS1) in Francophone Africa
The purpose of this activity was to increase Francophone countries in West and Central Africa awareness about global standards (GS1) by organizing a 3-day virtual Francophone Africa GS1 Healthcare Summit.
To increase countries awareness about global standards (GS1) in Francophone Africa, the USAID GHSC-TA Francophone TO project planned to support the participation of key national counterparts, including representatives from the regulatory body and from the central medical stores (CMS) from various African countries to attend the 37th Global GS1 Healthcare Conference in Paris, France from March 24-26, 2020 and to participate in the GS1 Healthcare conference in Cairo, Egypt in November 2020. Following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, both conferences were canceled. Subsequently, all GS1 Healthcare conferences for FY21 were canceled allowing for no opportunity for national counterparts to build on their awareness of global standards and to benefit from discussions and networking that occur during these meetings.
Through this summit, MOH counterparts learned how GS1 enhances patient safety, operational and supply chain efficiencies. Through these meetings healthcare leaders were able to share and discuss progress made towards the adoption of global standards for the betterment of patient safety, supply chain security and efficiency.
Proposed objectives
Re-introduce GS1 in the context of the West and Central African region
Understand the role of the GS1 and of the various technical assistance providers in the region
Learn and discuss the global trends and industry perspectives on GS1 within the region
Examine countries’ progress towards adoption of global standards to better understand their plans & challenges/pain points for adoption and vision for their traceability journey
Share challenges faced since learning about GS1 standards and points to be considered for standards to be adopted in country (E.g., present example of Ethiopia)
Share and conduct a deep dive into available GS1 related resources (E.g., NPC), including their use and access
Strengthen the awareness and capacities of national counterparts on GS1, including brainstorm of “big ticket items” to be considered (E.g., Government buy-in)
Day 1 - 10 May 2022
Setting the stage and laying the foundation
Replay day 1 Session
Video: 2022 Francophone Africa GS1 Healthcare Summit (Day 1) here.
Welcome Note
Time: 12:00 – 12:15 GMT / 8:00 – 8:15 EDT
- Representative for USAID
- Representative for GS1 Global Office
- Representative for GHSC-TA Francophone TO
Participant introductions
Time: 12:15 – 12:30 GMT / 8:15 – 8:30 EDT
- Participant introductions
- Virtual Group Photo
Introduction to global standards
Time: 12:30 – 12:50 GMT / 8:30 – 8:50 EDT
- Short introduction to global standards, including who and what is GS1, role of the GS1, the different GS1 components applicable to the healthcare (Identify, Capture, Share)
Presenter(s): Geraldine Lissalde Bonnet (GS1) - confirmed
Global perspectives on traceability in health sector
Time: 12:50 – 13:10 GMT / 8:50 – 9:10 EST
- What is traceability?
- What is the recommended approach for traceability?
- Traceability policy paper
Presenter(s): Anita Sands (WHO) - confirmed
West and Central African perspectives on pharmaceutical traceability
Time: 13:10 – 13:30 GMT / 9:10 – 9:30 EST
- The move towards pharmaceutical traceability by African countries: Why & how, progress to date
- Experiences from Nigeria: COVID-19 traceability
Presenter(s): Professor Mojisola Adeyeye (NAFDAC, AMRH) - confirmed
Q&A perspectives on traceability in the pharmaceutical sector
Time: 13:30 – 13:45 GMT / 9:30 – 9:45 EST
Break
Time: 13:45 – 14:15 GMT / 9:45 – 10:15 EST
Donor collaboration on traceability
Time: 14:15 – 14:30 GMT / 10:15 – 10:30 EST
- An overview of the Global Steering Committee for Quality Assurance of Health Products member collaboration on traceability in Francophone Africa.
Presenter(s): Tom Woods (World Bank) - confirmed
GS1 & National Product Catalog (NPC)
Time: 14:35 – 15:00 GMT / 10:35 – 11:00 EST
- An overview of NPC initiative, including a product master data overview and NPC tools.
Presenter(s): Swaroop Jayaprakash (GHSC-PSM) - confirmed & Ramy Guirguis (USAID/PRH) - confirmed
Day 2 - 11 May 2022
Approaches to kick-starting pharmaceutical traceability system in-country
Replay day 2 Session
Video: 2022 Francophone Africa GS1 Healthcare Summit (Day 2) here.
Introduction to the Day/Summary of day before
Time: 12:00 – 12:15 GMT / 8:00 – 8:15 EST
Rwanda progress on the NPC implementation
Time: 12:15 – 12:30 GMT / 8:15 – 8:30 EST
- Updates on the NPC implementation in Rwanda, including challenges and considerations for implementation.
Presenter(s): Edouard Jose Munyangaju (Rwanda FDA) - confirmed
Ethiopia progress on the NPC implementation
Time: 12:30 – 12:45 GMT / 8:30 – 8:45 EST
- Updates on the NPC implementation in Ethiopia, including challenges and considerations for implementation.
Presenter(s): Heran Gerba (Ethiopian FDA) - confirmed / Al Shiferaw (JSI) - confirmed
Benin progress on the NPC implementation
Time: 12:45 – 13:00 GMT / 8:45 – 9:00 EST
- Updates on the NPC implementation in Benin, including challenges and considerations for implementation.
Presenter(s):
Habib Ganfon (Benin Ministry of Health) - confirmed
Yossounon Chabi (Benin Regulatory Authority ABRP) - confirmed
Maximillien Kpodjedo (Presidency of the Republic of Benin) - confirmed
Jean-Pierre Sallet (GHSC-TA Francophone TO) - confirmed
Break
Time: 13:00 – 13:15 GMT / 9:00 – 9:15 EST
Q&A session on country progress on the NPC implementation
Time: 13:15 – 13:45 GMT / 9:15 – 9:45 EST
Panel discussion: What is the role of global manufacturers in the launch of a country’s traceability journey?
Time: 13:45 – 14:30 GMT / 9:45 – 10:30 EST
Panel Lead: Dah El Hadj Sidi (GHSC-TA Francophone TO) - confirmed
Panelist(s):
Pascal Aulagnet (Pfizer) - confirmed
Collins Agoro (Roche) - confirmed
Dirk Van den Wouwer (Johnson & Johnson) - confirmed
Important recommendations for engaging with industry (manufacturers, solution providers)
Time: 14:30 – 15:00 GMT / 10:30 – 11:00 EST
- Perspectives from PSM – How they have navigated mandating companies to comply with GS1
- Overview of GS1 solution provider effort – what does GS1 do in this space and how can this support country efforts
Presenter(s): Rachel Smith (GHSC-PSM) - confirmed / Sophie Molle (GS1) - confirmed
Day 3 - 12 May 2022
Where are we headed and how do we get there?
Replay day 3 Session
Video: 2022 Francophone Africa GS1 Healthcare Summit (Day 3) here.
Introduction to the Day/Summary of lasts days
Time: 12:00 – 12:15 GMT / 8:00 – 8:15 EST
Panel discussion: What do I need to know to set up a pharmaceutical traceability system and what resources are available?
Time: 12:15 – 13:35 GMT / 8:15 – 9:35 EST
Panel leader: Dah El Hadj Sidi (GHSC-TA Francophone TO) - confirmed
Panel members:
Mphatso Kawaye (Malawi Regulatory Authority - PMRA) - confirmed
Salvator Sindayigaya (Burundi Regulatory Authority - ABREMA) - confirmed
Violet Ketani (GHSC-PSM) - confirmed
Jean Miller (GHSC-PSM) - invited, and Nuran Idris (GS1) - confirmed
Break
Time: 13:35 – 13:45 GMT / 9:35 – 9:45 EST
Report out: Group activity presentations on roadmap to integrate GS1 into country’s healthcare strategy
Time: 13:45 – 14:45 GMT / 9:45 – 10:45 EST
Presenter(s): Country delegates
Closing Remarks
Time: 14:50 – 15:00 GMT / 10:50 – 11:00 EST
Audience
Supply chain actors in West and Central Africa (Senior and mid-level national representatives from the regulatory body and central medical stores (CMS), Implementing partners, other interested parties etc.).
Date
10-12 May 2022
Structure & Platform
Virtual – Zoom
Language(s)
English, French – Simultaneous translation
Hosts
GS1, USAID
Organizers
USAID, GS1, and GHSC-TA Francophone TO