Following the insightful Operation African Star 2: Approaches to Strengthen Regulated Supply Chains and Protect Consumers Against Illicit Products webinar, we are excited to share a closer look at the upcoming Pharmaceutical Traceability Pilot Program set to launch in July 2025. This pilot, a collaborative effort involving Operation African Star, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya, and the Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA), is poised to significantly enhance the integrity of pharmaceutical supply chains in the region.
The pilot program will leverage the Pulse by NABP traceability platform to meticulously track human drugs from their point of entry into Kenya and Uganda through to dispensing by participating pharmacies. This comprehensive approach is vital in combating the rising threat of falsified and substandard medicines.
The upcoming workshops in Nairobi, Kenya, and Kampala, Uganda, will provide critical hands-on training and practical demonstrations, ensuring all stakeholders are equipped to utilize the Pulse platform effectively. Participants will also learn how to share data using the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) IONICS Platform. This is the only secure online platform dedicated to real-time communications of incidents involving suspicious shipments, trafficking, or illicit manufacture of dangerous pharmaceutical substances to counter global trafficking.
Each workshop will include a day of classroom training and presentations, followed by a second day of field exercises. Other organizations participating in the workshops include INCB, Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI), Universal Postal Union (UPU), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG). These organizations are united by a common goal: to combat the increasing threat of illicit medicines.
The field exercises in Kenya and Uganda will involve the actual scanning of pharmaceutical products in various facilities, including mail service facilities, drug warehouses, and pharmacies, utilizing the Pulse platform. This hands-on experience will be instrumental in validating the traceability system in diverse operational environments.
These workshops and field exercises are more than just training sessions; they mark crucial steps forward in building a more secure and transparent pharmaceutical supply chain in Africa. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical application and real-world scanning exercises, Operation African Star 2 aims to equip regulators and stakeholders with the necessary tools and expertise to protect patients from the dangers of illicit medicines.
Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we will share the outcomes and key learnings from these groundbreaking July pilot activities.