An Analysis of the Pharmacovigilance Landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa .

In this technical brief, Chemonics explores the state of pharmacovigilance systems and insights from five years of USAID National Supply Chain Assessments.

This paper examines pharmacovigilance (PV) systems in low- and middle-income countries and their impact on health systems and access to quality health commodities in Africa. Despite existing frameworks for robust PV and pharmaceutical management, effective PV operations remain challenging in resource-limited settings. The paper analyzes PV practices in six Sub-Saharan African countries—the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Uganda—using data from the USAID National Supply Chain Assessment. A key finding is that PV system capabilities decline from central to service delivery points due to resource constraints. Recommendations include private sector engagement, prioritizing PV financing, and supporting regional regulatory harmonization.