Duty Station: Addis Ababa
Deadline: 13 June 2023
Job Description
Result of Service
• Successful and impactful policy advocacy for the AfCFTA – anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative in thematic areas of delivery namely, Pooled Procurement, Local Production and Harmonized Regulatory and Quality Standards within respective countries;
• Successful facilitation of technical and policy dialogues that will lead to the effective implementation of the AfCFTA- anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative’s objectives within pilot countries;
• Participating countries customized development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation framework of respective AfCFTA – anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative to yield country- specific results;
• Progress reports on respective country level implementation of the AfCFTA – anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative activities.
Work Location
- Respective National Ministry of Health for the countries: Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Rwanda, Djibouti, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrean, and Mauritius
Expected duration
- 11 months
Duties and Responsibilities
I. Background
The advent of the African Continental Free Area (AfCFTA), that came into force effectively on 30 May 2019 and entered into an operational phase on 7 July 2019, at an African Union (AU) summit in Niger marks momentous milestone for economic integration of Africa. The AfCFTA brings onboard a market of 1.3 billion people, a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $3.4 trillion, across 55 member states of the AU. The AfCFTA-anchored single market changes the economics on the ground and makes the case for significant investment in manufacturing across the continent in particular the health sector as an input to inclusive and sustainable development, promotion of value addition and income generation, job creation to cater for the youth bulge, technological and knowledge spill overs.
The Agreement which began trading on the 01 January 2021 provides an appropriate sectoral approach to advocate for healthcare and wellness sectors, and more specifically the pharmaceutical sector in the era of COVID-19. The healthcare and wellness sector, which is projected to be worth $259 billion by 2030 is said to have a potential to create 16 million jobs is ready market to operationalize the AfCFTA. If we single out the pharmaceuticals sub-sector alone, the industry is one of the world’s fastest growing. In the past ten years, the market has exploded to US$ 21 Billion and is estimated to be US$60 Billion by the end of 2020 and still growing.
In its role as the only UN agency mandated to operate at the regional and sub regional levels to harness resources and bring them to bear on Africa’s priorities, and in line with its mission to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063; the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) leveraging on its three core functions, namely, its convening function, its function as a think tank and its operational function to convene the relevant partners, provides platform, networks and analysis to leverage opportunities of the AfCFTA in the pharmaceutical sector across the continent. ECA, across its various efforts in the last year to advance the SDGs and Agenda 2063, has been involved in identifying key leadership commitments, interests, and the economic justification for such an engagement.
Indeed, in 2018, ECA commissioned a report titled “Review of Policies and Strategies for the Pharmaceutical Production Sector in Africa: Policy coherence, best practices and future prospective”. The policy recommendations emanating from report informed the 2019 Africa Business Forum which was convened on the margins of African Union Summit on 12 February 2019. The Forum’s objective was to facilitate and consolidate a regional partnership between private and public sector for the purposes of advancing health outcomes and shape health markets in Africa to spur improved health and wellbeing of its people and economy. In tandem, ECA also developed its inaugural Healthcare and Economic Growth in Africa in 2019 which was launched at the 2019 Business Forum along the ABCHealth-whose purpose is to harness and mobilize private sector investments and champions through a coordinated platform to advance health outcomes and shape health markets across Africa.
Responding to committed African leaders’ requests, the ECA is moving forward with its role on operationalization of ideas to actions by facilitating a AfCFTA anchored- Pharmaceutical Project which takes on a three strand approach: facilitation and advocacy of local production of maternal and child care drugs and products; pooled procurement of same in small Islands States and countries that include -Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Djibouti, Eritrea, Rwanda and IGAD anchored by Kenya and Ethiopia; and ensuring harmonized regulatory and quality standards of medicines and products with the support of the AUC’s Agencies.
It is well known that African has high disease burden coupled by high population growth that will continue to demand pharmaceutical drugs and products. Yet, Africa manufactures less than 2 per cent of the medicines it consumes while it imports over 97 per cent of its needs from outside the continent at an annual cost of $14.5 billion. Worse still, several African countries import sub-standard or poor-quality medicines and some of the smaller Africa economies pay premium prices to source their pharmaceuticals owing to their weakened bargaining position with large, well-resourced, and dominant international pharmaceutical companies. It is estimated that the annual earnings from substandard and/or counterfeit drugs were over US$30 billion, according to the 2017 World Health Organization, Report of fake drugs trade. Counterfeit and substandard drugs are a public health risk contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. The tragedy of it all is that most of these diseases are treatable and most related deaths could be prevented with timely access to appropriate and affordable and quality medicines and so are people living with long life diseases, they can lead productive lives.
Africa’s pharmaceutical industry exhibits several market distortions (such as undersupply of quality medication, overpricing and dominant behaviours on behalf of some producers) which affect the adequate supply of medicines and pharmaceutical products in Africa. The economic justification for demonstrating the operationalization of the AfCFTA in the healthcare sector and especially in the pharmaceutical sector is well-established. Aggregating the continent into one trade space-pulling together demand and market factors provides multiple opportunities to address the pharmaceutical challenges and market distortions.
Leveraging on the AfCFTA for pooled procurement of pharmaceuticals (PPP) and products by establishing/enhancing regional centres of excellences in particular, for smaller Island States and economies which are the most affected by the pricing of pharmaceuticals, will bring on-board primary advantage of the reduction of drug costs through economies of scale /collective bargaining and efficiency gains. By pooling country’s demands together, it can guarantee long term predictable funding and bring down costs as countries can co-finance with private sector and development partner’s support both in cash and kind. In addition, the aggregation of demand of multiple buyers is often associated with increased bargaining power; improve quality assurance and access to medicines; reduction to transaction and operating costs as well as reduction or elimination of corruption; and rationalized choice.
Drawing lessons from other pooled procurement models and best practices, the AfCFTA as single economic space can allow more “secure” logistics and controlled environment for procurement and distribution. A regional “pooled’ procurement arrangement can also help with the infrastructure and logistics needs of the continent and once addressed, it will provide for safety, security and quality of products procured and distributed. According to WHO, successfully implemented pooled procurement mechanisms can help countries access sustainable supply of quality drugs, achieve greater demand predictability, reduce transaction costs, and (sometimes) reduce the total price paid for drugs and related products.
In developing and showcasing this scalable and sustainable AfCFTA-anchored Pharma Initiative of action, the AfCFTA and Africa Medicines Agency (AMA) are the game changers. The pilot initiative focuses on localized pharmaceutical production, pooled procurement, and a harmonized regulatory and quality framework to ensure a sustainable safeguard of quality standards of medicines and products. Going forward drawing lessons from the pilot phase and established track record, the Initiative will be scaled up to the continental level. The decision to focus on select maternal and child health-care products was informed by high maternal and infant mortality ratio in Africa as well as huge unmet needs for family planning and other reproductive health commodities that remains valid to date. The maternal and child health burden remains relatively high across the continent and, the challenges relating to maternal and infant mortality persist, particularly in respect of achieving targets of key indicators within the SDGs. In connection to the above, there other existing difficulties such as the lack of preventive immunization measures and vaccines.
The predicted positive overall impact will be reflected in an increased intra-African trade in pharmaceuticals with a decrease of 25 per cent in imports by year two after implementation of the Initiative. Furthermore, enhanced availability of affordable medicines with an estimated cost drop of 25 per cent by year three is forecasted as well as the creation of the needed fiscal space in an era of rising government debts further exacerbated by COVID-19. The intended macro improvements are complemented by social gains in significant job creation and increases in women’s productivity. This health and economic initiative, which maximizes the benefits brought about by the AfCFTA and AMA, embodies great opportunities to change and save lives, reduce poverty, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable social and economic development in Africa.
II. Overall Objectives of the consultancy
AfCFTA- anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative aims at addressing economic-related challenges facing African member countries relating to high costs of medicines and promote the creation of fiscal space to the African Governments given the emerging trend of rising government debts. The AfCFTA, by virtue of the expanded market opportunities it offers and the potential to create manufacturing hubs, can be a game changer in the fight against life threatening diseases, especially given the continent’s high disease burden and provides a mitigation framework for preparation from future outbreaks such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resultant consequences.
Going forward with implementation phase of the Initiative, collaboration and coordination at national level within participating countries is increasing becoming essential and critical. AfCFTA participating pilot countries will need to partner with various national agencies, ministries and stakeholders to deliver on the objectives of the Pharma Initiative. This multi-pronged approach which calls for liaising and collaborating with relevant Stakeholder’s network involving Government, Private Sector, and other non-State actors is the crucifix of it all for protection of the integrated African market from stock outs and substandard essential medicines and services to enhance Africans’ standards of living and save lives and livelihoods. This call for services of National AfCFTA-anchored Pharma Consultant in respective countries to play the coordinating and facilitative role among stakeholders.
The continent needs more resilient health systems, economies, and supply chains hence the imperative to invest more in healthcare and strengthen local manufacturing capacity of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. With the implementation of AfCFTA -anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative, Africa will be in a stronger position to address the twin challenges in pharmaceutical industry: (i) in the short-to-medium term, by using the AfCFTA as platforms for harmonizing national standards as well pool procurement of medicines and pharmaceutical products, and (ii) in the long-term, through increased investment in pharmaceutical production and exports. The African we want cannot have sustainable and inclusive development without meeting the health needs of its growing population. Harmonized regulation and quality assurance of pharmaceuticals by ratifying and implementing the African Medicines Agency (AMA) and AfCFTA, is critical to guaranteeing the protection of the integrated African market from substandard, and counterfeit products and services to enhance Africans’ standards of living by securing their health and economies and saving lives.
Given the pivotal role investments in health plays as input in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth as demonstrated by COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission wishes to engage the services of a AfCFTA-anchored Pharma National Consultant, to support ongoing efforts to operationalize and domesticate framework of action to shape health markets and enhance health outcomes in Africa, including through:
(i) Leverage the AfCFTA and AMA in facilitating safety of maternal and child health essential medicines and commodities including vaccines;
(ii) Facilitation and advocacy from the policy angle on local production of maternal and child health essential medicines and commodities;
(ii) Promote common regulatory and quality assurance and standards of maternal and child health essential medicines and commodities including vaccines.
III. Organizational Settings:
Under the direct supervision of the ECA Directors: Dr. Stephen Karingi, Regional Integration and Trade (RITD) and Dr. Edlam Abera Yemeru, Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division as well as the respective Ministry of Health, the National AfCFTA-anchored Pharma Consultant will have the responsibility to undertake the following:
IV. Duties and responsibilities: the tasks listed below are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
• Support continuous improvement of the in-country pharmaceutical operations of the AfCFTA anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative (Pharma Initiative) by facilitating the assessment of organizational compliance with Essential Medicines List and related Policy pharmaceutical documents and guidelines as well as universally endorsed protocols and standards for pharmaceutical management;
• Regularly perform supportive duties within respective Pharma Initiative Participating countries in order to assist, advise, train, and build the capacity of National Regulatory Agencies (NRA) as well as provide logistical and program staff on all components of the pharmaceutical supply chain management,
• Provide continuous and regular support to respective country teams during the planning and implementation of different pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain management tools and systems of the Pharma Initiative,
• Assist the Pharma Initiative in compiling and collecting data for pooled procurement mechanism and local manufacturers frameworks,
• Strengthen the compliance and standards of implementation in line with host country guidelines, protocols, and standards in response to gaps identified based on the technical assessments,
• Work with the Pharma Initiative Technical Team to facilitate medical commodities production and procurement using best practices and guidelines.
• Assist in designing and delivering national training courses for AfCFTA-anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative to be delivered at regional and continental level based on a capacity needs assessment of participating countries’ pharmaceutical production, regulatory and supply chain programs;
• Support and respond to requests and enquiries concerning pharmaceutical management by country programs by undertaking relevant research and capacity building of team members during field visits, remote support, and other capacity building requirements.
• Participate in and support the implementation of AfCFTA anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative in the respective country utilizing technology where possible in line COVID-10 realities.
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings and communications for sharing evidence-based best practice in respective pilot countries.
• Participate and represent respective countries and ECA during respective Forums, meetings and networking platforms on pharmaceutical and drugs management and technical issues;
• Develop quarterly work plans and reports to share with respective countries and AfCFTA- anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative Technical Teams.
Qualifications/special skills
- Advanced degree in pharmaceutical sciences is required. Pharmacist with MPH preferred.
- A minimum 5 years experience in the field of Public Health/Health Services and
related pharmaceutical industry and supply chain management, and monitoring is necessary.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. - Knowledge of French is an
advantage.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.