WHO Technical Briefing Seminar on Essential Medicines and Health Products
For 25 years the Technical Briefing Seminars (TBS) on essential medicines and health products policies have been offered by the WHO Access to Medicines and Health Products Division. During that time, more than 900 pharmaceutical professionals representing over 100 countries, have participated. These 5-day seminars, held in Geneva, are aimed at professionals working in the pharmaceutical sector in low- and middle-income countries.
Upcoming events
Technical Briefing Seminar (French): Date to be defined
Objectives
Each seminar provides an update on a range of policy, technical and programmatic approaches to improving access to safe, effective, quality assured medicines. Opportunities are created for discussions between participants and other experts around relevant topics and for sharing of experiences. The TBS allows participants to deepen their knowledge on specific issues such as:
- the most common problems in the pharmaceutical sector in developing and transitional countries;
- how WHO supports developing and transitional countries in strengthening the pharmaceutical sector;
- strengthening collaboration with WHO and other organizations supporting the pharmaceutical sector in developing and transitional countries; and
- critical issues such as quality, supply, pricing issues, regulation, falsified products.
Speakers and topics
Sessions are led by senior staff members of the WHO Access to Medicines and Health Products Division and may include involvement of senior staff from other WHO Departments, UN partners and academics from WHO Collaborating Centres.
Topics covered may vary from year to year but tend to cover the following:
- National medicines policies and good governance
- Access to medicines and country support strategies
- Selection and rational use of essential medicines
- Quality assurance of medicines and medical products
- Pharmacovigilance
- Access to controlled medicines
- Medicine pricing and financing strategies
- Medicine supply systems and procurement
- Regulatory systems and support
- The WHO Prequalification Programme
Participants
Applicants with an education background in pharmaceuticals or medical products will be considered. The seminars aim to have geographical representation and gender balance. Previous participants have included:
- staff from governments working in public health facilities and Central Medical Stores;
- medicines experts working in the public sector, in academic institutions or in consulting, NGOs, private and civil society organizations;
- technical advisers and field staff of WHO; and
- technical advisers from other UN, International Organization and bilateral agencies, donors, and Regional Economic Communities.
Participation modalities
Interested participants should submit an application form for the specific date of the TBS. Selected candidates are notified 6 weeks prior to the TBS to allow time for visa and travel arrangements.
Participation in the Technical Briefing Seminars is free of charge. However, participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs and arrangements once in Geneva.