Minimum criteria for external quality assurance proficiency tests for use by laboratories designated by WHO for the purposes of HIV drug resistance surveillance

Overview

This policy brief provides guidance on the minimum criteria external quality assurance proficiency testing schemes are required to meet to be used to assess the proficiency of laboratories seeking designation or redesignation as WHO-designated laboratories for the purpose of HIV drug resistance surveillance testing.

Routine monitoring and surveillance of HIV drug resistance is one of the key pillars of quality and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) programming and helps ensure the continuous efficacy of ART and supports countries in achieving the 2030 global goal for HIV epidemic control. 

WHO has also established a network of HIV drug resistance genotyping laboratories (WHO HIVResNet laboratories) that support the generation of reliable quality-assured HIV drug resistance survey data. Participation in external quality assurance programmes, including annual proficiency testing, is required by WHO for laboratories to obtain and maintain HIVResNet designation status.

One limitation with the existing programme is a restricted number of laboratories that can be supported due to funding constraints. To facilitate the inclusion of additional laboratories into the WHO HIVResNet Laboratory Network, WHO in collaboration with the WHO HIVResNet Laboratory Working Group developed minimum criteria for external quality assurance proficiency testing schemes that can be used to support laboratories seeking designation or redesignation by WHO for the purposes of HIV drug resistance surveillance.