RESEARCH PROJECT

Project Title

Pharmaceutical Policy and Practices in Sudan and their Relation to Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

The growth of antimicrobial resistance globally is a key threat to health especially in countries challenged by conflict. 

In Sudan, extension of health services to the population was facilitated through several initiatives that at their best were able to reduce out of pocket expenditure on antibiotics as well as improve accessibility to essential medicines. These include the Revolving Drug Fund, National Health Insurance Scheme and National Medical Supplies Fund. In their infancy they were efficient, but years of instability and neglect contributed to their frailty thus creating an uncompromisable gap. 

Several studies indicate that Sudan has a high rate of antibiotic consumption especially of the Access group of the WHO’s essential medications list. This consumption appears to be fueled by a large number of antibiotic prescriptions, lack of proper stewardship programs, and reduced availability of more advanced antibiotics. 

Current initiatives like the National Action Plan can contribute to a better understanding of how interventions in prescribing patterns and content can make a difference to the types of Multidrug resistance (MDR) appearing in a certain context. This paper attempts to acknowledge these efforts while understanding how the country is addressing the issue and where there might be opportunity and challenge.