Conclusions & Recommendations

TEC requests that ITI Supply Chain develop an overall supply chain strengthening plan and present this at TEC 18.

TEC requests to ITI Management to create a table similar to the WHO global status table including only the antibiotic component rather than full SAFE.

TEC requests to ITI Management to include the corresponding population figures on the flow chart of districts through program years.

At each TEC, include for each country which districts require surveys during the current year and the status of those surveys.

TEC noted the progress made by MISAU in addressing the corrective actions outlined in the program assessment and reiterated that all supply chain and program corrective actions must be fully addressed and verified by an external supply chain assessment before Zithromax® shipments can resume. TEC also commends USAID Mozambique for their support in addressing this issue.

TEC recommends that before the in-country Zithromax® inventory can be used, MISAU should:
- Provide ITI and TEC with a full report on completion of corrective actions
- Present to ITI and TEC a plan for MDA using the in-country stock of Zithromax® before it expires
- Support a supply chain and MDA training

TEC noted the actions taken in Guinea following the diversion of donated drug to the open market and recommends to ITI continued vigilance and intensive follow-up. TEC recommends that ITI follow up with USAID and RTI to brief them on the issue and request assistance from USAID Guinea. TEC recommends that the 2018 approved treatments be shipped as planned.

TEC noted Pfizer’s recent safety review and is looking into modifying the Zithromax® label to ensure that tablets and POS are administered to the appropriate age and height groups. ITI is revising the Zithromax® Management Guide, including new recommendations around dosing, and will communicate changes to partners upon finalization.

TEC notes that azithromycin eye drops are now available, are well tolerated, and are easily administered (one drop twice daily for three days). These could be considered for programmatic use in place of tetracycline eye ointment among infants 1-6 months of age.

TEC congratulated WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region for their development of a comprehensive trachoma regional plan of action and budget, and looks forward to its timely implementation. TEC awaits with interest future reports on regional progress.