Technical Assistance for the Assessment of Local Pharmaceutical Capacity

BACKGROUND

Access to medicines remains a challenge, as millions of people, especially in developing countries, are unable to obtain medicines when they need them the most. Medicine availability and prices in both the public and the private sector are key indicators of access to treatment. There are existing theoretical and empirical work on the local production of biomedical products and its potential impact on price-based competition, improve affordability and access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries. Local production also has indirect benefits which includes reduction of importation, gaining foreign export earnings and increasing employment generation.

In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9502 or known as the “Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008”, provides that effective competition policy is recognized by the State as a primary instrument in promoting and ensuring access to affordable quality medicines for all Filipino citizens. The 2019 Progress Report on the Cheaper Medicines Act (RA No. 9502) revealed that multinational companies (MNCs) dominated the 2018 pharmaceutical market sales with a major share of 53% while local manufacturers’ share was at 47%. In terms of counting units, local manufacturers obtained two-thirds of the whole share. In terms of growth in value, still the local manufacturers have the higher growth rate of 12% compared to MNCs with 8%. Further, both have a growth rate of 12% in terms of counting units. These estimates may reflect the increasing capacity of local manufacturers with regard to provision of essential medicines. Moreover, the current administration is encouraging the local production of off-patent medicines.

In developing a supply system, consideration must be given both to cost and to national and local production as part of overall development. Local production of medicines at higher cost than equivalent imports may have no impact whatsoever on patient access to needed medicines. Governments should invest in creating an enabling ecosystem, leveraging partners and stakeholders support for effective technology transfer. The Philippines, as a Member State in the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), recognizes the promotion of technology transfer and capacity building in the pharmaceutical sector.

Further studies are needed to assess the real and current capacity of local companies to produce essential affordable medicines in the existing health and economic environment. The results of this technical assistance will aid the formulation of the national medicines policy specifically on improving the availability and affordability of medicines by building domestic self-reliance.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The overall objective of this Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) is to assess the capacity of local pharmaceutical companies for local production and transfer of technology from external sources.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Under the supervision and guidance of the Health Systems Team Coordinator of WHO Philippines Country Office, the APW will work together with DOH Pharmaceutical Division and partners in the comprehensive assessment of local manufacturers capacity and technology transfer practices.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Output 1. Local Capacity Assessment

Deliverable 1.1: Development of appropriate assessment tool or methods such as but not limited to desk review of relevant documents, interviews, surveys and any other     methodology deemed appropriate for achieving the objectives of the APW

Deliverable 1.2: Conduct capacity assessment and identify enablers, challenges, resources and other components to clearly define and characterize the existing status of local production capacity and technology transfer

Deliverable 1.3: Describe activities and practices related to production and technology transfer of local pharmaceutical companies

Deliverable 1.4: Provide recommendations on how to strengthen the capacity of the local pharmaceutical industry

Deliverable 1.5: Submission of complete capacity assessment tool and report

Output 2. Workplan and Reports

Deliverable 2.1: Submission of work plan and inception report showing approach and methodology

Deliverable 2.2: Submission of progress report and minutes of meetings with stakeholders

Deliverable 2.3: Submission of final project document

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

The individual contractual partner or institution's members must fulfil the following qualifications

EDUCATION

Essential:  

Master’s degree or higher education in medicine, pharmacy, public health or equivalent

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

At least 5 years working in the area of medicines access, technology transfer, patents, health or medicines policy, local or international experience in capacity assessments

Desirable:

At least 5 years of experience in research, pharmaceutical manufacturing

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrable understanding and knowledge on medicines access and availability issues, knowledge in medicines policy, research methods and design, capacity assessment methodologies

LANGUAGES

Good English communication (writing and speaking) skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In addition, the individual/institution and its members shall have no involvement, in any form, in drugs, arms dealing, alcohol industry, or human trafficking.

The work to be done under this contract shall be the assessment of the local pharmaceutical capacity as set out in the Terms of Reference. The contract will be completed in not more than 5 months from the commencement of the Work, or otherwise as agreed in writing among the Owner and the Contractor. The work shall be done in strict compliance with the Contract, Specifications, Schedules, and all other Contract documents and all Instructions. Failure to do so shall be at the Contractor’s risk and account. Submission of Bid by the Contractor shall constitute acknowledgement by the Contractor that it is aware of and concurs with all of the requirements or conditions incorporated in the Call for Proposal and the other documents.

As time is an essential element of this Contract, for failure to complete all work within the stipulated as set out in the Terms of Reference, the Owner shall charge the Contractor liquidated damages. This shall be in the amount the sum of 0.5% of the total contract amount per day (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are included) but not to exceed on total 10% (ten percent) of the contract amount. These liquidated damages shall be for the added cost incurred by the Owner for such delay and also for the inconvenience caused to the users of the Work. It is understood that this is not a penalty but a fixed sum representing the liquidated damages for each calendar day of the delay. Delay shall be counted from the agreed completion date, considering further time extensions approved by the Owner, to the date of completion of work.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested individual/institution should submit their proposals with financial details and proposed timeline and CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile and qualifications of team members {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 15 July 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 133947 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.