Buenos Aires, October 4, 2023 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) today presented a new tool to evaluate the quality of the provision of pharmaceutical services and launched a network to share information and facilitate collaboration between countries. Its objective is to improve the quality of the Region’s pharmacies through the Primary Health Care (PHC) approach and integrate them into service networks.
«Building resilient health systems requires that pharmacies become an integral part of primary health care services,» said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO, at the Meeting of National Working Groups on Pharmaceutical Services in the region of the Americas, which takes place today in Buenos Aires. .
“Pharmacies are not simply establishments that sell products. They should be part of the health system,” he added. Their role includes the provision of professional patient care services in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. However, in many countries there are still no formalized guidelines or practices for the provision of quality pharmaceutical services.
During the meeting convened by PAHO, representatives of the national groups that make up the different governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in decision-making related to pharmaceutical services from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Peru and Uruguay , discussed steps for the implementation of the pharmaceutical services indicators tool in their countries.
«This tool will be the basis for the development of excellence in quality care in our pharmacies,» highlighted Dr. Barbosa, congratulating the participants «for this important work carried out.»
Prior to its launch, the tool was tested in more than 80 pharmacies in Argentina and Peru.
«It is an honor to host this regional meeting and launch this network,» said Carla Vizzotti, Minister of Health of Argentina. «Pharmacies have a fundamental role not only in highly complex hospitals but also in the first level of care,» she stated. she added, underscoring her commitment to extending the use of the tool in the country.
The tool will evaluate the activities carried out by pharmaceutical services, including quality assurance, pharmaceutical care, service management, research and human resources.
At the meeting, the Pharmaceutical Services Network of the Americas (RedSFar) was also launched, a forum to promote cooperation and share information, experiences and best practices between health authorities and experts.
«We hope that this network will help achieve equitable and rational access to medicines, innovative treatments and other health technologies,» said the PAHO Director.
