EPN - Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network

This edition includes:

Cough and cold remedies under the spotlight
New global framework for immunization monitoring and surveillance
HIV and AIDS
Malaria

Focus on Resources
Websites
Training tools
Reports
Courses

Cough and cold remedies under the spotlight

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines that have been widely used for decades should not be given to children under 6 years of age. Manufacturers need to conduct clinical trials to show the medicines actually work for children. Evidence from studies is lacking and is inappropriate to keep relying on adult data to suggest the medicines benefit kids.

New global framework for immunization monitoring and surveillance

To monitor the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (2006 – 2010), WHO, together with global immunization partners has developed a global framework for immunization and monitoring surveillance. The framework will help to monitor the strategy which will help to ensure that the fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG), reduction of child mortality, is partially met through the increase of vaccinations. Vaccinations are one of the low-cost effective ways to reduce mortality in children less than five years.

http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/85/12/07-048223.pdf

HIV and AIDS

d4T dose can be reduced without loss of effectiveness

The Experts opinion on pharmacotherapy has published the findings of a systematic review of nine clinical trials of d4T (stavudine, Zerit) which shows that a dose of 30mg twice daily has equivalent efficacy to the standard 40mg dose prescribed to adults weighing more than 60kg, with evidence of fewer side-effects. This may be a viable option given the low cost of a fixed dose d4T/3TC/nevirapine regimen in resource-limited settings in comparison to tenofovir or AZT-based regimens.

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/3E7F40F0-7B5F-4F02-824A-06C50947532E
.asp

Switch to nevirapine safe for treatment-experienced patients with high CD4 cell counts

According to findings of an Indian study published in the August 2007 edition of AIDS, patients who experience increases in their CD4 cell counts after initiating potent antiretroviral therapy can safely change therapy to a regimen based on the NNRTI nevirapine.

A single dose of tenofovir/FTC reduces risk of NVP resistance in pregnant women given single-dose NVP

A study published in The Lancet for November 2007, indicates that single dose of tenofovir (Viread) and FTC (emtricitabine, Emtriva) taken in addition to single-dose nevirapine (Viramune) during labour can significantly reduce the risk of subsequent nevirapine resistance

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/62B99982-2DBA-43FD-947C-968CD59D1443
.asp

MALARIA:

Malaria combination therapy efficacy

Scientists conducting a study in Uganda have found that children receiving a combination of artemether and lumefantrine for the treatment of malaria had a lower rate of treatment failure as compared with other combination therapies.

Insecticide for mosquitoes resistant to current pesticides

Mosquitoes responsible for malaria transmission to humans are becoming resistant to pyrethroids used in spraying and to impregnate mosquito nets. Researchers at the Institute of Research for Development in Paris have therefore developed an effective insect repellent compound that can be used against mosquitoes resistant to current chemicals.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2007/07/18/new_insecticide_created_
for_mosquitoes/5131/

Antibiotic Resistance

http://www.dobugsneeddrugs.org

This website provides information for healthcare professionals, the public, teachers, parents and children on the dangers of unnecessary use of antibiotics particularly for managing respiratory tract infections, including colds, flu, sore throat, cough, ear aches, sinus infections, chest colds (bronchitis) and pneumonia.

TRAINING TOOLS:

Pharmacy Health Literacy Assessment Tool:

This pharmacy health literacy tool was designed by the US government’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to capture perspectives on pharmacy knowledge of three critical audiences - objective auditors, pharmacy staff, and patients. The three parts of the assessment are complementary and designed to form a comprehensive assessment. Although the assessment was designed to be used in outpatient pharmacies of large, urban, public hospitals that primarily serve a minority population, it can be adapted for use in other pharmacy environments.

http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/pharmlit/

Training programme for pharmacy staff

This training program is designed to introduce pharmacists to the problem of low health literacy in patient populations and to identify the implications of this problem for the delivery of health care services. The program also explains techniques that pharmacy staff members can use to improve communication with patients who may have limited health literacy skills.

http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/pharmlit/pharmtrain.htm

Counselling Tuberculosis patients

This is a guide for those working with TB patients. It outlines the various forms of counselling skills including how to counsel specific clients, how to help patients solve their problems and how to regulate the counsellors’ workload.

http://www.iuatld.org/upload/home_news/tb_counseling_a_guide_eng_final_uk
_290.pdf

REPORTS:

Guidelines for pharmacists on counterfeit medicines

These guidelines are published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

http://www.rpsgb.org.uk/pdfs/counterfeitmedsguid.pdf

Progress made in fight against Malaria

This report, prepared by UNICEF on behalf of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM), highlights the significant gains in the fight against malaria, particularly in controlling the disease, in sub-Saharan Africa.

http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/docs/unicef2007/malariaUnicef2007ExSum

Interagency field manual on TB

This manual developed by WHO gives guidelines on the treatment and prevention of TB in refugees and displaced populations. It includes management of TB in adults, in children and the implementation and monitoring of TB programmes.

http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241595421_eng.pdf

COURSES:

Course: Anti-retroviral and related drug supply chain management in low resource settings
Venue: Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur
Dates: February 24^th – March 1^st 2008
For more details please contact: arvsupply@gmail.com

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