Field sampling and testing projects are carried out by WHO in order to:

• monitor the quality of medicines (both WHO-prequalified and non-WHO prequalified medicines) procured by UN agencies

• contribute to national quality control of medicines and

• contribute to strengthening of health systems and capacity building by cooperation with national medicines regulatory authorities (NMRAs).

Projects are managed according to a pre-established protocol with defined study objectives. Samples are collected by NMRA staff and tested by WHO-prequalified laboratories, if available, or by laboratories whose test results have been proven to be reliable. Results obtained are discussed with the NMRAs of the participating countries before publication.

Quality monitoring reports

Reports summarizing the findings of quality monitoring projects carried out under the auspices of the WHO Department for Regulation and Prequalification prequalification are listed and accessible in the drop-down box below.