EPN - Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network

The over-arching message at the Pan African experts meeting on Access to and Rational Use of Medicines held in Nairobi, Kenya was that more needs to be done to ensure RUM and AEM. EPN partnered with Health Action International (HAI) – Africa, to host the two day meeting on 14th and 15th November 2007. The meeting whose them was: “Saving lives and saving money; Making Access to and Rational Use of Medicines a Priority” was held at the hotel La Mada.

The main purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the progress made in access to and rational use of medicines since the development of the essential medicines concept 30 years ago. The participants of the meeting who were members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Faith-based organizations (FBOs) also took the opportunity to forge links and generate ideas on partnerships to ensure access to and rational use of medicines.

Key topics discussed during the meeting included the ethical implications of advertising and promotion of medicines, compliance and adherence of medicines, the impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) on access to medicines, procurement of medicines, how to communicate the rational use of medicines (RUM) message and how to develop medicines that meet the needs of children.

Recommendations made at the meeting included the need to develop medicines for children and involve them in the formulation process, the importance of documentation and dissemination of best practices and lessons learnt in medicine issues and the importance of educating consumers on medicine use.

While appreciating that a lot has been done in the last 30 years, it was agreed that there is a need for all concerned in medicines issues to move from theory and policy formulation to active participation in implementing these policies especially at country and community level. The involvement and support of governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) at all levels was encouraged and appreciated. The implementation of the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution on Rational Use of Medicines (RUM) was seen as a priority. The resolution can be viewed at: http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB120/b120_r12-en.pdf.  To view the report of the meeting can be viewed at Pan Africa Meeting report