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Achievements

Previous strategic period 

The strategic plan of the past period (2005-2007 and extending to 2009) had its focus on three programme areas, each with their own objectives: 

  • Networking: developing the network with a focus on information sharing and collaboration among members
  • Access to medicines: building the capacity and standing of church drug supply organizations in Africa
  • HIV/AIDS: increasing the capacity of church leaders to address HIV and AIDS issues, particularly treatment 

The general conclusion of the evaluation at the end of the strategy period was that EPN's work was highly appreciated by many stakeholders and had made a significant contribution to improving pharmaceutical services in church health institutions. 

These are the key achievements in each programme:

Networking 

  • Rapid growth in membership, particularly in the Francophone countries in Africa, to a total over 100 members from 37 countries by the end of 2008. 
  • Active engagement of the network in lobbying WHO and PEPFAR on issues affecting the members. The lobbying enhanced the image of the organization, influenced policies of international organizations and contributed to sustainability of the church institutions and better access.
  • Sharing of high quality information within the network and strengthening of inter-member linkages.

Access to medicines 

  • Completion of a number of country baseline studies to define the level of compliance of church institutions to the EPN guidelines on effective and efficient pharmaceutical services.
  • The capacity of DSOs was built and tools developed for ongoing use in a number of areas, including organizational assessment, quality control, distribution systems, computerized inventory management systems and standard operating procedures.  

HIV and AIDS treatment 

  • Church leaders from a number of countries were trained and went on to implement programs for prevention and treatment or advocate for their implementation. 
  • A treatment literacy manual was developed to inform church leaders on relevant issues related to HIV and AIDS treatment. 

See also our Strategy page to know how EPN will further improve its work in the following years and which particular areas will be addressed. 

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EPN coordinator wins Olle Hansson Award 2007

The EPN Coordinator Dr Eva M. A. Ombaka has been awarded the prestigious Olle Hansson Award 2007. The award recognizes the contribution of individuals from developing countries in promoting the concepts of essential drugs and their rational use and increasing awareness among consumers of the dangers of irrational and hazardous drug use.

The award is named in honour of Dr Ollle Hansson, a Swedish paediatric neurologist internationally known for his advocacy of SMON (Subacute Myelo-Optic Neuropathy) victims who were paralysed or blinded after using clioquinol, an antidiarrhoeal drug. The awardee is chosen by an international selection panel of three eminent persons. The award is managed by Health Action International Asia-Pacific (HAIAP), a network of organizations and individuals involved in health and pharmaceutical issues.

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