Course Overview
The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance (MPAQA) provides senior executives, policymakers, and decision-makers with a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges surrounding access to medicines. The course explores key issues related to affordability, availability, and quality of medicines, and examines strategies to improve access through policy, regulation, and innovation.
This executive-level course focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to address access to medicines from a holistic perspective. Participants will explore policy frameworks, pricing mechanisms, intellectual property considerations, regulatory pathways, and innovative models for expanding access. The course will also cover ethical considerations, stakeholder engagement, and the role of international organizations in promoting equitable access to medicines.
Key Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Access to Medicines: Understanding the global landscape of access challenges, the social and economic impact of limited access, and the ethical imperative of ensuring equitable access to medicines.
- Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Analyzing policy and regulatory approaches to enhance access to medicines, including intellectual property rights, patent systems, generic medicines, and regulatory harmonization.
- Pricing Strategies: Examining pricing mechanisms and strategies to ensure affordability of medicines, including differential pricing, value-based pricing, cost-effectiveness analysis, and pooled procurement.
- Supply Chain Considerations: Exploring supply chain management approaches, procurement strategies, distribution networks, and innovative last-mile delivery models to improve access to medicines.
- Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation: Understanding the importance of R&D in addressing unmet medical needs, fostering innovation, and promoting access to new and improved medicines.
- Health Technology Assessment (HTA): Utilizing HTA frameworks and evidence-based decision-making to optimize resource allocation, prioritize medicines, and improve access in healthcare systems.
- Intellectual Property and Access: Analyzing intellectual property rights, patent laws, compulsory licensing, and trade agreements in the context of access to medicines.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, industry, healthcare providers, and patient groups, to foster collaboration and address access barriers.
- Ethics and Equity: Addressing ethical considerations in access to medicines, ensuring equity in access, and promoting social justice and human rights principles.
- Global Initiatives and Partnerships: Exploring global initiatives and partnerships aimed at improving access to medicines, such as the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List, the Medicines Patent Pool, and global health funding mechanisms.
Program duration and mode of attendance
The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance is a two-year program delivered under a blended learning approach to cater for in-service status of students. Studies are organized through face-to-face (on site) learning, off campus learning, field placement and dissertation writing.