The EPN Technical Working Goups (TWGs) were established to facilitate the implementation of our programs through reviewing and updating guidelines and materials, developing training methods, and assessing members’ capabilities. There are three Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and they constitute EPN selected EPN members; Capacity Building, Pharmaceutical System Strengthening (PSS), and Supply Chain and Quality Assurance. In 2024, a number of activities were conducted by the three groups.
Capacity Building Technical Working Group (TWG)
To strengthen pharmaceutical knowledge and skills across the EPN network through improved access to learning resources and targeted capacity-building initiatives.
-
Assessment of the accessibility and usability of the EPN e-Learning Platform.
-
Evaluation of the e-Learning Platform and the Essential Pharmaceutical Practice (EPP) Training module in partnership with Apotheker and the University of Tuebingen.
-
Review of the Treatment Literacy Guide for Religious Leaders and its associated training content. The updated guide and training materials were subsequently adopted for use across the network.
Pharmaceutical Systems Strengthening (PSS)
To strengthen pharmaceutical systems through the development, review, and validation of key tools and resources.
-
The PSS TWG reviewed and validated the HIV Treatment Literacy Guide for Religious Leaders along with the associated training content.
- Conducted an initial review of the Availability Monitoring Tool (AMT) developed under the Access Project by the EPN Secretariat.
- Additional tools reviewed included Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for AMR, HIV comic strips for youth, Online course on compassionate HIV care.
Supply Chain and Quality Assurance TWG
This TWG reviewed the DSO Maturity Assessment Tool developed by the EPN Secretariat, recognizing that EPN DSO members are at varying levels of maturity.
Key gaps identified in DSO supply chain activities include:
-
- a). Disparities in technical and operational capacities
- b). Competitiveness with the private commercial sector
- c). Performance gaps, particularly in forecasting, procurement, distribution, and quality
- d). Challenges in sustaining the Drug Revolving Fund with church health facilities
- e). Cold storage issues
- d). Inadequacies in quality systems, policies, and procedures
