CPA's SPARC Programme Expanded!
Our flagship AMS programme will now feature 6 workstreams
The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) is excited to announce the expansion of our Surveillance and Prescribing Support for Antimicrobial Stewardship Resource Capacity Building (SPARC) programme.
Through the expansion, CPA will now support three additional workstreams:
- Laboratory Strengthening – Strengthening the capacity of national and site-level laboratories to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Zambia
- One Health Surveillance – Improving AMR surveillance data collation and presentation across One Health sectors in Kenya, Nepal and Zambia
- AMS Clinical Engagement – Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) capacity to support clinical decision-making in Kenya
Alongside the three new workstreams, SPARC will continue to operate its three existing workstreams – the Prescribing Companion App, Data for Action and the Malawi Electronic Medicines Management System – providing initiatives which help to build AMS capacity in participating countries.
Bridget Kebirungi
Programme Manager, SPARC
“The expansion of SPARC marks a pivotal step in CPA’s strategy to strengthen local health systems and advance AMS.
“By integrating laboratory strengthening, One Health surveillance, and clinical engagement, we are aligning more closely with national AMR priorities and supporting countries to build sustainable, resilient responses.
“This evolution reflects our commitment to locally led solutions, strategic partnerships, and scalable impact. It’s especially rewarding to see our team’s dedication recognised, their tireless efforts have made this growth both possible and worthwhile.
“We are deeply grateful to the Fleming Fund for their continued support, and to Mott MacDonald for their guidance, which has enabled us to scale SPARC’s reach and contribution.”
Since 2022, SPARC has been delivering innovative solutions to improve antimicrobial surveillance and prescribing in 22 low- and middle-income countries across Africa and Asia to build workforce capability, capacity and resilience in health systems. By collaborating with governments, multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, we drive the AMS agenda across the whole health ecosystem of each country.
The expansion follows a successful review of outputs, after which the Fleming Fund grant management agent, Mott MacDonald, requested that CPA take on additional responsibilities under our revised Strategic Alignment Grant. We have revised SPARC’s work plan to synergistically incorporate these newly assigned programme components, ensuring a smooth transition as the programme moves from three workstreams to six.
Victoria Rutter
Chief Executive Officer
“We are delighted to announce the launch of the next phase of the SPARC programme, building on strong progress in our existing countries.
“This phase brings an exciting opportunity to expand our impact through additional workstreams – strengthening AMS, enhancing digital surveillance, and improving laboratory systems in an integrated way.
“At a time when global health resources are under pressure, the continued trust placed in us by the Fleming Fund is a powerful endorsement of our approach.
“Their support enables us to further invest in in-country leadership, sustainable capacity-building, and the partnerships that lie at the heart of long-term health system resilience.”
We are grateful to our funders, the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Fleming Fund, for their continued support of the SPARC programme, and we are excited to continue supporting country-led efforts to enhance AMS capacity and surveillance systems through sustainable and locally owned solutions.
About SPARC and the Fleming Fund
Led and implemented by the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, the SPARC programme is supported through a grant from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Fleming Fund, a UK aid programme supporting up to 25 countries across Africa and Asia to tackle AMR, managed by Mott MacDonald. The Fleming Fund invests in strengthening data surveillance systems through a portfolio of country grants, regional grants, fellowships and global projects managed by partners.