Neftaly: Ensuring the Safety, Efficacy, and Quality of Medicines

Overview

Access to safe, effective, and high-quality medicines is essential for the successful treatment of diseases and for building public trust in the healthcare system. However, the circulation of substandard, counterfeit, or improperly stored medications remains a significant threat in many settings. Neftaly is committed to supporting national efforts to strengthen pharmaceutical systems and regulatory frameworks to ensure that all medicines available to the public meet stringent safety, efficacy, and quality standards.

Goal

To establish and support robust systems and practices that guarantee all medicines available within the health system are safe, efficacious, and of assured quality, in alignment with national and international standards.

Strategic Objectives

1. Strengthen Regulatory Oversight

• Support the capacity-building of national medicines regulatory authorities (NMRAs) to enforce quality assurance standards throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain.
• Promote alignment with WHO prequalification and internationally accepted Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Distribution Practices (GDP), and Good Pharmacy Practices (GPP).
• Strengthen systems for registration, inspection, and post-marketing surveillance of pharmaceutical products.

2. Improve Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance

• Enhance laboratory infrastructure and technical capacity for quality control testing of medicines, including random sampling and batch testing.
• Establish or strengthen pharmacovigilance systems to detect, report, and respond to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and product quality issues.
• Promote training for healthcare workers, pharmacists, and community health actors in recognizing and reporting medicine-related problems.

3. Ensure Safe Procurement and Supply Chain Management

• Support transparent and evidence-based procurement practices that prioritize quality-assured and cost-effective medicines.
• Strengthen supply chain systems to maintain integrity from manufacturer to end-user, including appropriate storage, transport, and stock management.
• Promote regular audits and assessments to ensure medicines are not expired, compromised, or diverted.

4. Increase Public Awareness and Accountability

• Educate the public and health professionals on the importance of medicine quality and how to identify and report suspected substandard or falsified products.
• Facilitate collaboration with civil society organizations to promote medicine safety at the community level.
• Encourage the use of authentication tools and technology (e.g., SMS verification codes) to help verify medicine authenticity.

5. Foster Regional and Global Partnerships

• Collaborate with international partners and regulatory networks to share data, technical expertise, and early warning alerts on medicine quality risks.
• Participate in joint regulatory reviews and harmonization initiatives to enhance efficiency and consistency in medicine oversight.
• Promote pooled procurement mechanisms that prioritize quality and affordability.

Expected Outcomes

• Improved availability of medicines that are safe, effective, and of verified quality throughout the health system.
• Reduced incidence of adverse drug reactions and treatment failures due to poor-quality medicines.
• Increased public confidence in healthcare and medicine safety.
• Strengthened national regulatory systems with sustainable capacity to monitor, inspect, and enforce standards.
• A more resilient and transparent pharmaceutical supply chain.

Conclusion

Neftaly’s commitment to ensuring that all medicines are safe, efficacious, and high-quality is central to protecting public health and enhancing the credibility of national health systems. By supporting strong regulatory frameworks, quality control measures, and community engagement, we help create a healthcare environment where patients can trust in the treatment they receive.