OVERVIEW

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Global Health Supply Chain – Quality Assurance (GHSC-QA) project worked closely with the Quality Control Lab of the Afghan Ministry of Public Health to build its capacity to assure the quality of pharmaceutical products entering and used in the country.

The aim of this project was to enable the Quality Control Lab of the Ministry of Public Health to achieve international standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Such standards specify the requirements for quality and competence and ensure that products and services are certified to meet international minimum standards.

ACTIVITIES

• Implemented a Training of Trainer approach throughout the project to build the competency and capacity of the technical staff of the Quality Control Lab
• Ensured the continuity of the laboratory preparation for accreditation by drafting the implementation protocols, procedures and policies
• Achieved ISO certification and accreditation standards for facility operations by strengthening the organizational capacity of the laboratory management and technical staff
• Monitored progress and provided routine subject matter expertise and support to the Directorate of Medicines and Healthcare Products Quality Control Laboratory (DMHQCL) facility
• Provided in-country routine support to DMHQCL local project staff to operationalize laboratory Quality Management System, human capital talent management, administration, and standard operating procedures

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Conducted an internal audit to identify the requirements and key gaps for ISO certification for the Ministry of Public Health Quality Control Lab in 2018
• Conducted 12 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) trainings in order to fulfill the ISO certification requirements in 2018
• Developed the internal audit policy, plan, and SOPs in 2018