GILLES FORTE, JEAN-MARIE TRAPSIDA, HELEN TATA, MOSES CHISALE

IN March 2002, WHO's newly appointed national medicines advisers for the African Region met in Pretoria, South Africa, to set priorities and define strategies to contribute to improving access to quality medicines in countries and the Region, in line with the global WHO medicines strategy. Medicines advisers have been recruited in 11 African countries. These countries expressed an interest in having a medicines adviser and fulfilled specified criteria related to burden of diseases, commitment to improving access to quality medicines, existence of core health systems and pharmaceutical technical expertise.

Medicines advisers are national professional officers (NPOs) with specialised national and regional expertise in pharmaceuticals and medicines issues. As can be seen from their personal profiles, they bring a wide range of experience to the crucial task of providing practical support to governments and stakeholders on key pharmaceutical issues. They work closely with the ministry of health and other stakeholders, such as academics and civil society to improve access to quality medicines, including those for priority diseases. Medicines advisers also facilitate and coordinate WHO technical input in: national medicines policy implementation and monitoring; affordability of medicines and globalization; drug financing mechanisms; quality and safety; rational use of medicines; traditional medicine; and other critical areas of medicines work.

Support to their respective ministries of health to carry out a baseline survey of the pharmaceutical situation marked one of the first major contributions of the 11 medicines advisers. These surveys have provided policy-makers and stake-holders with needed evidence, and helped identify priority areas of interventions for improving national medicines policies.

Each medicines adviser's work is based on a plan of action developed with the ministry of health and reflecting country needs. This work is regularly monitored and evaluated. Once a year, the medicines advisers come together for a planning and evaluation meeting, and the most recent took place in Dakar in April 2003.

The medicines advisers are an important network of country-based experts communicating on key issues, exchanging information, and sharing innovative solutions to common problems. They receive regular training and participate in regional and international events along with their country counterparts. Located in WHO country offices, they work closely, sometimes on joint projects, with WHO advisers dedicated to HIV/AIDS, malaria, health systems, primary health care and other issues important to medicines work. They also receive administrative and technical support from WHO Representatives, the Regional Office and Headquarters on a daily basis.

The medicines advisers' network is a significant step towards accelerating implementation of sound medicines policies in countries in Africa, where improving access to quality medicines remains a major challenge. The establishment of the medicines advisers network in Africa is a key long-term support mechanism for sustainable pharmaceutical development and has been possible thanks to the support of major partners such as DFID and the World Bank (for example, the latter funds WHO support to the Ministry of Health, Directorate for Pharmacy, Medicines and Laboratories in Chad). The project has an estimated life of six years and we are hopeful that more partners will join in to ensure that the network continues to thrive and is able to expand to more countries and regions.

Gilles Forte is AFRO Focal Point, in EDM's Drug Action Programme (DAP), Jean-Marie Trapsida is EDM/AFRO Coordinator, Regional Office for Africa, WHO, Cite du Djoue, P.O. Box 06 Brazzaville, Congo; Helen Tata is a Technical Officer, DAP/EDM; and Moses Chisale is Regional Adviser on Pharmaceuticals, Regional Office.

SENEGAL
Mamadou Ngom

I'm a pharmacist, who previously worked as the Chief Inspector in the Division for Administrative Control of Medicines. My work as an NPO is to facilitate the collaboration on essential medicines issues between the Ministry of Health and WHO Headquarters/Regional Office and the many partners in the pharmaceutical sector in Senegal. Providing the necessary technical support in improving access to essential medicines particularly for priority diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB, is a major part of my work, as is monitoring the pharmaceutical sector to identify gaps and make proposals on the technical assistance necessary to address these gaps.

I help to coordinate the technical assistance that WHO can offer, with the Ministry of Health and other partners, in the areas of pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine, not only in Senegal but at sub-regional and regional levels too. Another important element of my job is to help identify existing expertise and projects in Senegal that need support - working to strengthen health institutions and develop human resources.

My ambition is to do everything necessary for the whole population of Senegal to have access to essential medicines.

I have two daughters and two sons, and I relax by watching football.

My e-mail is: Ngomm@oms.sn

GHANA
Edith Andrews

I have an MPH and MSc in pharmacy, with 10 years' experience of hospital pharmacy and four years in district health administration.

I have been an NPO since the beginning of September 2003. My work involves intensive collaboration with all stake-holders in the pharmaceutical sector, and particularly with the Ministry of Health. My previous employment with the Ministry makes such cooperation easier. I think that there is room for greater collaboration with NGOs and Ghana's universities, and we need closer links with professional bodies and industry through the Food and Drugs Board.

I'm married, with three children, two girls and a boy. My secret ambition is to learn to play the guitar.

My e-mail address is: andrewse@whoghana.org

CAMEROON
Rose Ngono Mballa

I'm an industrial pharmacist, who has worked for UNAIDS' Access to Care Initiative - (Observatory of Prices of HIV/AIDS Drugs for Africa) in the Country and Regional Support Department from July to December 2002. Between 2000 and 2002, I was a consultant and temporary adviser to the WHO/AFRO Essential Drugs Programme. I spent the three previous years as Team Leader of the Cameroon Strategy for Standardization in the Ministry of Trade, and was Director of Pharmacy and Medicines in Cameroon's Ministry of Health from 1995 - 1998.

One highlight for me is that this year I'm involved in many vertical health programmes promoting rational use of drugs, good procurement and distribution practices, and improving access to drugs.

I am proud to be EDM focal point in the WHO Country Office.

On the personal side I'm a widow, and mother of five children: Karen (13), Antoine (12), Marina (9), Ricky (5) and Lucrece (2). The most sensational and dangerous thing I have done in my life was to cross the Sahara desert by car, from Algeria to Niger with 2 friends, when I was only 19 years old. I used to be a basketball player in secondary school.

My e-mail is: ngono@cm.afro.who.int

MALI
Arama Ené Augustin

I'm a pharmacist who was previously the health inspector responsible for the enforcement of laws and regulations in public and private health facilities.

I act as the interface between WHO and the Ministry of Health and partners in the medicines sector, providing technical support to the MOH, together with the rest of the WHO Office team.

I am particularly happy to be able to contribute to health education, for example, at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the School for Health.

My e-mail is: aramae@omsmali.org

CHAD
Daniel Boysinda

I'm a pharmacist by profession, and formerly I was responsible for technical work at the Central Pharmaceutical Purchasing Agency. I also have experience of the commercial sector.

My role as NPO is to give technical support to the Ministry of Health in analysing the pharmaceutical situation; and addressing identified gaps in the medicines supply system and the use of essential medicines in health facilities.

One highlight for me is that as NPO I can collaborate in coordinating the activities of multilateral and bilateral partners and NGOs in my country.

My e-mail is: robndoh@yahoo.fr

NIGERIA
Ogori Taylor

I'm a pharmacist, and my previous job was Senior Lecturer in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, part of the College of Medicine, at the University of Lagos. I have also been active in INRUD Nigeria.

Work as an NPO is exciting. It offers a huge opportunity to contribute towards improving the quality of pharmaceutical services provided in the country.

I'm married to Emmanuel, and blessed with three children. My e-mail is: tayloro@ng.afro.who.int

ETHIOPIA
Bekele Tefera Jembere

I'm a pharmacist with professional management training, and was previously Head of the Drug Evaluation and Registration Department in Ethiopia's Drug Administration and Control Authority.

My work is challenging but interesting. It calls for initiative coupled with sound technical know-how. Good communication skills and interpersonal relationships are also needed for professional success.

My e-mail is: bekelet@whoet.org

UGANDA
Joseph Serutoke (Jr)

My training as a pharmacist and in health systems management has resulted in very broad work experience. I have been employed in hospital pharmacy, district health services, university teaching, the pharmaceutical industry, national medicines procurement and supply systems, pharmacy profession legislation and administration, and health sector reforms in Uganda. Being an NPO is exciting and challenging work, involving innovative approaches and strategies, implemented to contribute to the achievement of WHO's mission in essential drugs and medicines policy.

I'm married to a pharmacist, Christine, and have two children Calvin (6) and Jean (3).

My first job before enrolling for pharmacy was in a bank. These days in my spare time I act as a Team Nurse during the football season of the Kampala Kids League, where my son plays in the Junior League.

My e-mail is: serutokej@who.imul.com

KENYA
Charles Kandie

Trained as a pharmacist, my previous work was as Coordinator for the Revolving Drug Fund Project in Nyamira District, Kenya, from February 2001 to December 2002. Before that I worked at Kenya Medical Supplies Agency as the Pharmacist-In-Charge, from April 1995 to January 2001.

I have been integrated well into the WHO Country Office Team and provided with the office space and equipment I need. I have begun initiating EDM activities according to the country plan of action. I have also sensitised my counterparts at the Ministry of Health on my new role as the NPO, and my involvement in WHO support for the pharmaceutical sector.

I'm married and blessed with two children.

My e-mail is: kandiecharles@whokenya.org

RWANDA
Stella Tuyisenge

My previous experience was as an office manager, and a health centre administrator. I have also been an adviser to the Office of the Minister of Health and manager of a national pharmaceutical store.

In my capacity as NPO I have a strong obligation towards my fellow Rwandans and WHO, which gives me the impetus to work well. The potential offered by this post gives me job satisfaction.

My e-mail is: adelandim@yahoo.fr

UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Rose Shija

I am a pharmacist, and before joining WHO I was responsible for the Management Information System for drugs and medical supplies in the Ministry of Health.

I have experience in health sector reforms, medicines regulation, national pharmaceutical supply systems and promotion of rational medicines use. I have been an editor of a drug information bulletin, as well as of other Ministry of Health documents. These include the National Formulary and the National Package of Essential Health Interventions in Tanzania, among others.

Work as an NPO is challenging, and I am grateful for all the support I receive from WHO HQ, AFRO, and the WHO Country Office as well as from officials in the Ministry of Health. I enjoy my work greatly and I am looking forward to translating WHO-EDM policy perspectives into successful country adaptations to improve the pharmaceutical sector in Tanzania.

My e-mail is: rshija@who.or.tz