Consultant to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on implementation and updating COVID-19 Treatment Standards and resolving issues related to State Registration (Re-Registration) of medicines used in the treatment of COVID-19, HIV / AIDS and Tuberculosis

 Background

To support the MOH efforts, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a contract for Safe, Affordable, and Effective Medicines for Ukrainians (SAFEMed) to Management Sciences for Health (MSH) (September 2017-August 2023). SAFEMed applies health system-strengthening best practices to create evidence-based interventions and strengthen Ukraine’s pharmaceutical system in line with the MOH’s health care reform objectives. SAFEMed has three primary project objectives:

 1) Strengthening governance within the pharmaceutical sector of Ukraine

2) Optimizing the financing of the pharmaceutical sector

3) Increasing the availability and appropriate use of medicines in Ukraine.

 One of the areas that needs technical support is the development and updating of standards and guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19. The standard of provision of medical care “Coronavirus Infection” should be regularly updated in light of updated recommendations of the WHO, CDC, ECDC.

 The USAID “Safe, Affordable, and Effective Medicines for Ukrainians” (SAFEMed) project is announcing a competition to select a consultant who will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MOH), cooperate with the Pharmaceutical Supply Directorate of the MOH and the State Expert Center (SEC), and support the development of medical standards on the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine and the latest available scientific data. As clinical information on COVID-19 is constantly evolving, the country needs to have a clear and structured process for updating clinical guidelines to ensure that patients receive the most effective and safe treatment that provides the best value to patients and the health care system as a whole. It is particularly important to ensure that the country overcomes the practice of excessive prescribing and overuse of antibiotics for the treatment of COVID-19.

In addition, the consultant will address issues of registration (re-registration) of drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19, HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis, in particular, regarding the interaction between the MOH and the SEC (taking into account EU practices and approaches) by optimizing key processes. HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis remain one of the global health problems in Ukraine as well as worldwide. Addressing this issue requires an effective state response. The use of effective medicines for treatment of COVID-19, HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis will help improve the health of patients and minimize the additional costs of medical care that may arise by the reason of use of less effective treatments and medicines.

 General responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the consultant are to provide recommendations for improving the standards for treatment of COVID-19 and to assist in addressing issues related to state registration (re-registration) of medicinesthe used in the treatment of COVID-19, HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis. The consultant will work with the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Support of the MOH and with structural units of the SEC.

 Timeframe

The consultant is expected to be contracted from 01 February 2022 till 30 September 2022 with prolongation option.

 Functional responsibilities

• Participation in the activities of the working group of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and providing technical support for the development of medical standards and recommendations for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
• Advising on the implementation of medical standards and guidelines for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
• Advising on the issuance of notifications by the MOH on introduction to circulation and commissioning of medical devices for which the requirements of technical regulations are not met, but the use of which is necessary in the interests of health care, in order to implement measures to prevent the emergence and spread, and to achieve localization and elimination of COVID-19.
• Providing technical support in resolving issues related to the registration (re-registration) of medicinal products used in the treatment of COVID-19, HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis.

 Deliverables

 Regular update of standards of provision of medical care “Coronavirus infection” taking into account the updated recommendations of the WHO, CDC, ECDC.

• Recommendations on prevention of irrational use of antibiotics in COVID-19 diagnosed or suspected patients; recommendations to improve rational medicines use in these patients (such as practical tips to doctors or patients in which cases antibiotic not needed)
• Addressing problematic issues that arise during the issuance of notifications by the MOH on introduction to circulation and commissioning of medical devices for which the requirements of technical regulations are not met, but the use of which is necessary in the interests of health care.
• Addressing issues arising from the registration (re-registration) of medicines used in the treatment of COVID-19, HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis.

 Required Qualifications

• Complete higher education in pharmaceuticals or public administration and administration in the field of health care.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or health care area or in the field of HIV / AIDS.
• Excellent level of computer proficiency , knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of business Ukrainian language.
• High level of organizational skills.
• High level of self-organization.
• Ability to work for results.
• Experience in interaction with state executive bodies.
• Experience in preparing reference, information, analytical and other materials regarding internal and external cooperation.
• Knowledge of English at the level required for working with documents and communication for implementation of the project’s tasks.

Reporting

Monthly reports on deliverables status. Report directly to SAFEMed Principal Technical Advisor on Supply Chain. There also might be ad hoc requests on the current progress with the deliverables

Duties performance location

Kyiv, Ukraine, MoH office/remote with no business trips.

Qualified candidates may apply to the address: [email protected]. The position is open till filled. Past performance references would be an advantage. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.