WHO
Landscape on access to medicines for the continuum of hepatitis B and C treatment: country case studies in the Western Pacific Region Request for EOI

Reference: APW
Beneficiary countries: Multiple destinations (see 'Countries' tab below)
Registration level: Basic
Published on: 07-May-2018
Deadline on: 15-May-2018 17:00 (GMT 8.00)

Description

 

Background

Viral hepatitis is the seventh-leading cause of mortality globally, responsible for 1.34 million death in 2015. The WHO Western Pacific Region is disproportionately affected by hepatitis B and C, accounting for 33% of global mortality. The consequences of chronic hepatitis B and C infections – cirrhosis and liver cancer – are responsible for 96% of deaths associated with hepatitis infections. Better diagnostics and recent introduction of treatments that are safer and highly effective have transformed the potential of therapy, particularly direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications that provide effective cures for HCV infection. However, diagnosis and treatment has yet to become widely available in many countries, particularly the low- and middle-income countries.

The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) has a leading role in addressing viral hepatitis and ensuring universal access to hepatitis diagnostics and treatment as part of  the Regional Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis in the Western Pacific 2016–2020 (Resolution WPR/RC66.1) provides the framework on a comprehensive approach for the viral hepatitis response: advocacy, policy, data, prevention and treatment. Access to hepatitis medicines is a critical part of implementing regional and national action plans, towards universal health coverage.

Purpose/Specific Objective of the Activity

The main objectives of this project are to: document the landscape on access to hepatitis B and C medicines used for the treatment of the spectrum of hepatitis disease and its sequalae, including intellectual property and medicines policy.

The country case study should include the following:

  • Description of hepatitis burden and national response, snapshot of what is happening currently, treatment needs and people receiving treatment
  • Documentation of intellectual property laws and related regulations
  • Patent landscape of the medicines of interest including those patented, and under patent application (where applicable)
  • Description of the pharmaceutical and medicines policy
  • Documentation of the registration status of medicines of interest
  • Documentation of prices of medicines in retail, and in government procurement
  • Documentation of key barriers where exists

The landscape should include documentation of the state of play of intellectual property and related laws/regulations, existing and current development of pharmaceutical programme and policies in the country, including key barriers. The landscape should describe the prices of hepatitis drugs in the commercial market as well as government procurement. A description of the background of the country and its hepatitis situation, national strategic plans including numbers on treatment or treatment need should be included. The landscape should document the different approaches that counties took on access to hepatitis medicines.

The hepatitis medicines of interest include: entecavir, tenofovir (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) for hepatitis B, direct acting antivirals for hepatitis C cure*, and the first and second line medicines for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma such as oral sorafenib, regorafenib, nivolumab and lenvatinib.

[*DAA medicines of interest include: sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, velpatasvir, daclatasvir, simeprevir, dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, danoprevir, ravidasvir, elbasvir, grazoprevir, glecaprevir, pibrentasvir, voxilaprevir]

Description of activities to be carried out

The contractor should carry out documentation of country landscape through country-based interviews and key informant interviews in order to develop the case studies. Consultants are expected to conduct work through tele or video-conferences, on-site, and/or through country visits.

The expected products are:

(a) Presentation on the near-final reports in November 2018 during the WPRO regional mid-term review meeting on hepatitis, Manila, Philippines

(b) Finalisation of the country case studies by 15 March 2019

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Methods include desk reviews, on-site data extraction from government office such as the patent office, and interviews with key informants.

The provisional list of counties includes Mongolia, China, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Kiribati and New Zealand. The list allows case studies of a variety of countries and their unique contexts within the high, middle and low income setting.

In consultation with WHO, the contractor will maintain close communication with the WHO regional and country office focal points and key partners. Institutions or consortium of consultants are encouraged. The contractor should identify key informants and institutions which can support this project in the respective countries.

The contractor should define the overall approach, methods, detailed analytical framework and implementation of this project, including timelines and budgets

Qualifications and Experience

Contractor(s) should be an institution with the required expertise to implement the project, or consultant(s) who can manage this project in the selected countries. Locally based consultants are encouraged.

Technical Skills and knowledge/Skills

The contractor(s) should have experience working in the technical areas including intellectual property and pharmaceutical policies within health systems. Experience of working in these areas within Asia is desirable.

Language

English only

Competencies

Producing results

Interested should submit ythe following documents to the Supply Officer (WPRO) at wprosao@who.int by 15 May 2018. Please use Tender Notice No. 71447 as subject to all submission.  

  • Detailed project proposal including methods for the conduct of the project, timelines, estimated budgets.
  • CVs of the key/lead consultants and the team members as appropriate, including 2 samples of the work in this area.

 


Peter Ellison - wprosao@who.int, Tel: +63 528 9653, Fax: +63 525 2512
First name: Peter
Surname: Ellison
Telephone country code: Philippines (+63)
Telephone number: 528 9653
Telephone extension 89653
Fax country code: Philippines (+63)
Fax number: 525 2512