(1999; 168 pages) [Spanish]
Appendix 1 The practical issues of organizing and implementing the programme
1. Establish a core group for organizing the training programmes
• Organize the core group for planning and implementing the education programme. The group may be organized by health authorities, or by nongovernmental organizations or joint enterprises.
• Establish roles and responsibilities for all participants in planning and implementation.
2. Develop the profile of what is required and estimate the output of the programme
• Construct the profile of the required system of national or local drug distribution in terms of the characteristics of both professionals and the general public.
• Collect data regarding the target professionals.
• Assess the overall performance of the target professionals.
• Identify the extent of the responsibility of the target professionals in combating counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
• Identify what the professionals need to improve their performance in combating counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and prioritize according to the available resources.
• Identify the "end products" to be achieved by the training programme.
3. Plan the curriculum according to the need
• Develop a survey of the needs.
• Identify sources of data and other resources.
• Prepare a plan (who, where, when) for collecting data.
• Collate information.
4. Assess the facilities and staff available
• Assess the available teaching staff, equipment and facilities in institutions for training.
• Determine whether additional staff and equipment will be needed to meet the objectives and provide the curriculum as planned.
5. Work with other concerned parties
• Identify institutions, groups and persons in the community with whom to collaborate.
• Share information with these institutions, groups and persons in order to encourage collaboration in the programme.
• If there are not enough resources available in the target area, find resources outside the area.
6. Select the target groups
• Identify the target professionals and select the core groups for whom the programmes will be most effective.
• Ensure that the distribution of participants in the training programme is balanced in terms of disciplines and regions.
1. Secure financial support
• Investigate potential and existing internal and external sources of financial support for the programme.
2. Gather materials for a curriculum
• Contact institutions, agencies and other organizations with experience and expertise in the pharmaceutical training fields, including WHO and its collaborating centres.
3. Make arrangements for the trainees
• Arrange accommodation and travel for the trainees, if necessary.
4. Recruit teaching staff
• Contact and recruit suitable teaching staff.
• Arrange their accommodation and travel, if necessary.
5. Establish a positive image for the goal of the programme
• Identify core trainees who understand the meaning of the programme and support it.
• Obtain early support by key persons.
6. Deal with barriers
• Attempt to overcome resistance to the programmes (e.g. reluctance to take up the issue of counterfeit pharmaceuticals).
Selected further reading
Developing protocols for change in medical education. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1995 (unpublished document WHO/HRH/95.5; available on request from Department of Health Systems, WHO, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland).
Guilbert JJ. Educational handbook for health personnel, 6th ed. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1987 (revised and updated 1998) (WHO Offset. Publication No. 35).