Abstract:
Before establishment of this document was possible EFMHACA, with support from partners took a
long road. It all started in 2014 when collaboration between USAID and UNFPA started to address
interoperability and data visibility and the first pilots to test the use of GS1 standards in the Ethiopian
healthcare supply chain started. In 2015, collaboration for standards adoption led by USAID, UNFPA
and GAVI was introduced at the Interagency Supply Chain Group. USAID and UNFPA founded the RH
Global Traceability Advisory Group (RH GTAG). In 2016 EFMHACA got involved and participated,
together with important partners in the supply chain like the Pharmaceutical Fund and Supply
Agency in the GS1 Healthcare Conference to learn about the importance of global standards for
improvement of patient safety and efficiency in the healthcare sector. A National Consultative
Workshop was conducted to educate and engage local stakeholders. Also, the National Traceability
Steering Committee and Technical Working Group were established. In 2017 a consultant was hired
to work on creation of awareness, to assess stakeholders’ capabilities and develop a roadmap for
implementation of traceability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
