e-Pharmalink is the e-mail newsletter of the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) an independent, apolitical, non-profit Christian organization. This newsletter aims to alert pharmacists and other health professionals of information sources about international trends relevant to their work and opportunities that could support them in their efforts to provide effective and efficient services, particularly in poorer countries. It summarizes information reported by a wide range of publications or organizations and includes web links to the original sources. Anyone can receive this e-mail. If you have any information to contribute or comments on the content, or if you would like to unsubscribe, subscribe or recommend someone to receive it, please contact Info@epnetwork.org
NEWS
ACCESS TO MEDICINES
The Pharmaceutical Industry’s role in Access to ARVs in Africa
To mark World AIDS Day, Health Action International (HAI) - Africa prepared a fact sheet on the pharmaceutical industry’s role in access to HIV/AIDS treatment. The document answers basic questions, on the impact of generic competition,
compulsory licences and gives recommendations of what the industry should do to increase access. The fact sheet is available at:
http://www.haiafrica.org/downloads/Fact_sheet_pharma_and_ARV_access.pdf
HIV/AIDS
AIDS Treatment in Resource poor settings: Lessons learnt
Adult patients who have been on treatment for a few years are finding that their drugs are no longer working. The nature of the HIV virus means that patients cannot stay on one single regimen. MSF gives a full report on this and other lessons learnt in the in the treatment and control of HIV/AIDS.
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/ideas/opinion_alexandracalmy.cfm
CD4 Percentage could help decide when to start ARV treatment
CD4 percentages, along with CD4 cell counts, could be of benefit in helping patients decide when to start antiretroviral therapy, according to a study published in the 15th September edition of The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/F731C054-1B9C-4A8B-BB54-052E27C113DE.asp
Antiretroviral therapy reduces HIV transmission through breast milk
Treatment of HIV positive breast-feeding mothers with antiretroviral therapy results in reduced viral loads in breast milk sufficient to prevent HIV transmission, according to findings published in the September 2005 edition of the Journal of infectious diseases.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/37FAC18C-BBF2-42F0-AD8F-5F48C16EB2AE.asp
HAART: Long-term use linked to high blood pressure
HIV/AIDS patients using Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for over two years have been reported to be at a higher risk of increased blood pressure. This also puts them at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/946D82F4-0EC6-4889-B772-538FC5521Cf.
asp?hp=1
Resistance to ARVs detected
Failure by patients to take medicines consistently and regularly as prescribed by healthcare providers is leading to a high number of patients developing resistance to first-line ARV drugs. This is most unfortunate as the second-line drugs have prohibitive costs.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200511170664.html
MALARIA
Improper use and regulation of ACTs leading to drug resistance
The misuse and regulation of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) to treat malaria in some countries is leading to increased resistance to the drugs, according to the December 3rd edition of Lancet. ACTs recently have become first-line malaria treatments in many countries after chloroquine and other drugs became ineffective against the disease because of widespread resistance.
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=4&DR_ID=34102
Malaria Vaccine gives promising results
A trial Malaria vaccine involving over 1,400 children in Mozambique has given experts hope that they can create a vaccine against the killer disease.
http://cbs5.com/health/health_story_319101459.html
Malaria more frequent in HIV positive people
According to a report in the September edition of the Journal of Infectious diseases, malaria is more frequent in HIV positive people and a first episode of malaria is likely to occur particularly in those with high viral loads or low CD4 cell counts.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/FD8F1F2F-66C7-4713-8765-17CD76EAEE7D.asp
TB
Rapid TB test Kit to be available in Africa
In a bid to curb the spread and treatment of TB through early detection, a medical equipment manufacturing company will soon begin to provide rapid-TB testing kits to Africa. Medical Services International (MSI) also aims to develop a rapid-HIV/AIDS/TB test kit which will simultaneously detect HIV/AIDS and TB.
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSReport.ASP?ReportID=5381&SelectRegion=Sou
thern_Africa&SelectCountry=AFRICA
FOCUS ON RESOURCES
REPORTS
Pharmaceuticals: Restrictions in use and availability
This report gives information on products whose production, use and/or sale has been banned, restricted or withdrawn by governments. The products are listed alphabetically with generic and brand names. The report also gives information on when the restrictions came into force as well as brief explanatory comments where necessary.
http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/restrictedpharm2005.pdf
NEWSLETTERS
WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter
This newsletter is prepared in collaboration with the WHO Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring in Uppsala, Sweden. It aims to disseminate information on the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.
http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/pn2005_4.pdf
Management of TB Newsletter
Management Strategies for Health (MSH) has developed a newsletter which gives information on the management of drugs used in the treatment of TB. The Manager includes issues on the drug management cycle and selecting essential drugs for TB treatment. The newsletter is available at:
http://erc.msh.org/TheManager/English/V10_N4/V10_N4_En_Issue.pdf
COURSES
USAID Global e-Learning Centre
The USAID Global Health Bureau has developed a Global Health e-learning centre which offers a series of health and population courses for free which cover a wide range of public issues. Some of the beginning courses are tuberculosis basics, ante-natal care, logistics for health commodities and preventing postpartum haemorrhage. For further details, please visit:
http://www.globalhealthlearning.org/login.cfm?CFID=27002&CFTOKEN=9bf4f1
0d53566cfa-9E4B61CE-2A55-1429-8262A2D5A51D86F5
TRAINING MANUAL
Community Engagement for ARV Treatment: a training manual for community-based organizations, NGOs and PLWHA
The International HIV/AIDS Alliance has designed an ARV training course targeted primarily at NGO and CBO staff and volunteers. There is an essential need for NGOs and CBOs to learn more about ARV treatment and what it involves for people living with HIV and the broader community. This manual can be used by CBOs and NGOs in training activities. The course has also been designed for use by national and international institutions providing technical support to CBOs and NGOs in English-speaking African countries. For further details and to download the manual please visit: http://www.aidsalliance.org/sw31860.asp
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