Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis ... - libdoc.who.int

32Annual Report on Lymphatic Filariasis 2003Chapter 1 Progress of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic FilariasisQuality standards for DECTAG-LF acknowledged the efforts made by the Secretariatin ensuring that provision of DEC used in theprogramme is of the highest quality. TAG-LF made thefollowing recommendations.• All procurements of DEC tablets or DEC API for DECfortifiedsalt by the national programmes should meetthe current standards of the United States Pharmacopoeiaand pass the test for piperazines in the IndianPharmacopoeia 1996.• The Secretariat should take steps to procure centrallythe quantities of DEC required for most national programmes,subject to the availability of funds.• Countries procuring DEC on their own should beencouraged to use the list of WHO prequalified manufacturersfor their supplies of DEC tablets.Update on pharmacovigilanceThe considerable work that has been carried out toobtain and analyse data from the intensive monitoringof adverse drug reactions confirms that the observedreactions mostly represent symptoms attributable to theantimicrofilarial effects and give little concern for thesafety of the programme. Active surveillance for adversedrug reactions is no longer required; passive surveillancefor severe adverse effects, however, should remaina high priority. TAG-LF recommended that national programmesshould continue and reinforce their efforts toidentify, respond to and report severe adverse effectspromptly.TAG-LF recommended the use of the last menstrualperiod in excluding pregnant women from MDA. Whereverpossible, efforts should be made to follow up pregnantwomen who are inadvertently treated to ascertainthe outcome of their pregnancy.Strategies for implementing preventionof disabilityTAG-LF welcomed the development by the Secretariatof the disability prevention strategy and tools formonitoring this component of the programme. TAG-LFexpressed the hope that, with the development of thisstrategy, disability prevention and management wouldbe given the priority they deserved.Synergies with soil-transmitted helminth controlTAG-LF welcomed the presentation on opportunitiesfor synergies in MDA between LF and soil-transmittedhelminth control programmes and supported the initiativesdescribed by the Secretariat to capitalize on theseopportunities.Social mobilizationTAG-LF acknowledged the progress made in incorporatinga behaviourally focused and multifaceted planningframework for social mobilization into the country programmesin order to improve uptake of the programme.TAG-LF recommended that more support be made availablein the development of strategic national plans andguidelines or modules on social mobilization and communicationto support district level activities. In addition,capacity-building for programme managers andother staff on social mobilization and communicationshould be given priority. TAG-LF encouraged the Secretariatto explore private sector partnerships in advertisingand marketing in key areas of the GPELF.Strategic planTAG-LF welcomed the work carried out in preparing arevised strategic plan for GPELF and warmly supportedthe main strategic directions. It noted the problems thatresource constraints were placing on the rapid expansioncalled for by 2005. Recognizing the immediateusefulness of the strategic plan in the planning of programmesat regional and country levels, TAG-LF notedalso its relevance for advocacy purposes and that a separateadvocacy-oriented document might be called for. Iturged the Secretariat to complete an initial draft plan assoon as possible to share with the GAELF Secretariat, intime for presentation to the GAELF meeting planned forMarch 2004, before finalization and subsequent disseminationto all national programmes and partners.