Rational use of medicines

EPN has promoted the rational use of medicines since the inception of its activities. Our ongoing efforts are described in the pages in this section.

More needs to be done in access to and rational use of medicines

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 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.

The involvement and support of governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) at all levels was encouraged and appreciated.

Success as Rational Use of Medicines resolution is passed!

The hard work, dedication and commitment put in by, among others, the EPN delegation to the World Health Assembly (WHA) 2007, paid off handsomely when the Rational Use of Medicines (RUM) resolution was passed. Part of the advocacy work done to advance the passing of the resolution was a presentation made to the delegates by the EPN coordinator on behalf of the Network. In addition to calling upon member delegates to pass the resolution, the presentation, titled "Churches advocating for rational use of medicines," highlighted the importance of the involvement of multi-disciplinary bodies in addressing rational use of medicines.

Saving lives...saving money: Preparing for the World Health Assembly 2007

In its continued efforts to promote rational use of medicines, EPN in conjunction with Health Action International (HAI) – Africa has developed a document which will be used to appeal to the delegates of the WHA to strengthen and support the rational use of medicines (RUM) resolution. The document highlights facts on RUM, the benefits of strengthening the RUM resolution and gives specific areas in need of input from the member states. The WHA is scheduled for 14th – 23rd May 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Download EPN/HAI document [.pdf 74 Kb]


Download RUM resolution [.pdf 17 Kb]

Promoting Rational Use of Medicines competition

How can we achieve changes that lead to lasting practices in rational use of medicines?
Write a real story of what or how you see irrational drug use happening in your institution/organization/country and suggest a practical and achievable mechanism/method that could be used to effect a lasting change to lead to rational use of medicines.

Conditions and prizes

1. The article written in English or French should be no more than 1000 words and must be received at the EPN secretariat in Nairobi (English) or Ouagadougou (French) by 31st January 2007. Articles must be typed and can be sent in electronic, fax or letter form. Each participant is allowed a maximum of two entries.
2. This competition is open to all employees working for a registered EPN member organization (full or associate). *Please state member organization.
3. The winner of the competition will have an expenses-paid one week trip to Geneva, Switzerland as part of the EPN team attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2007. The expenses to be paid are travel to and from Geneva, board and lodging, visa costs and transport in Geneva.
4. The first runner up will receive USD 300 for purchases of professional books of their choice.
5. The second runner up will receive USD 200 for purchases of professional books of their choice.
6. Three other runner ups will each receive USD 100 for purchase of professional books of their choice.
7. Winning articles will be published in various publications including a special issue of Pharmalink newsletter that will be distributed at the WHA.
8. Winners will be informed by 28th February 2007.
9. The decision of the judges will be final.

*Please note:

Members of Christian Health Associations or other coordinating bodies which are registered members of EPN are recognized as associate EPN members and therefore their staff can participate. Please check with the relevant association if you are not sure of its status in EPN.

Send your entries to:

English:
Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN)
P. O. Box 73860 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: epn@wananchi.com
Fax number: +254 20 4440306

French:
EPN Réseau Pharmaceutique Œcuménique
BP 108, Ouagadougou 01,
Burkina Faso
Email: epn.burkina@fasonet.bf
Fax: +226 / 50 36 34 66

 

Winners of the promoting rational use of medicines (PRUM) competition announced

It is with great pleasure that we announce the winners of the PRUM competition. The competition which was developed to encourage PRUM ran from November 2006 to January 2007. Terms and conditions of the competition.

The winners of the competition and their corresponding prizes are:

1st prize - Expenses paid trip to Geneva for WHA 2007 - Sujith Chandy

1st runner up - 300 dollars to purchase professional books - Joe Varghese

2nd runner up - 200 dollars to purchase professional books - Jacky Ntumba Muela

3rd runners up - 100 dollars each to purchase books - Guibrina Ouédraogo, Godwin Aja and Subal C. Basak

We congratulate the winners and thank all who participated in the competition. In addition to the prizes, the winning entries will be published in the EPN Pharmalink newsletter whose theme will focus on Rational Use of Medicines.

Compètition sur la Promotion de l'Usage Rationnel des Mèdicaments

Comment pouvons nous réaliser des changements qui mèneront à des pratiques durables dans l’Utilisation Rationnelle des Médicaments? 

Ecrivez une histoire réelle sur quoi ou comment vous trouvez l’utilisation irrationnelle des médicaments qui se passe dans votre institution/organisation/pays, et suggérez des mécanismes/méthodes pratiques et réalisables qui pourraient être utilisées pour opérer un changement durable qui mènera à une utilisation rationnelle des médicaments.

Conditions et prix à gagner

1. L’article écrit en Anglais ou en Français ne devrait pas être plus de 1,000 mots et doit être reçu au Secrétariat de EPN à Nairobi (Anglais) ou Ouagadougou (Français) au plus tard le 31 janvier 2006. Les articles doivent être saisis et peuvent être envoyés sous forme électronique, télécopie ou lettre. Deux entrées maximums sont acceptées par participant.
2. Cette compétition est ouverte à tous les employés travaillant pour une organisation membre enregistrée de EPN (membre à part entière ou associé). Veuillez préciser le nom de l’organisation membre.*
3. Le gagnant de la compétition obtiendra des frais couverts pour un voyage d’une semaine à Genève en Suisse comme faisant partie de l’équipe de EPN qui prendra part à l’Assemblée Mondiale de la Santé (WHA) en Mai 2007. Les dépenses à être payées par EPN sont le voyage aller-retour Genève, la nourriture et le logement, les coûts de visa et de déplacement à Genève.
4. Le deuxième (premier « runner up ») recevra USD 300 pour l’achat de livres professionnels de son choix.
5. Le troisième (deuxième « runner up ») recevra USD 200 pour l’achat de livres professionnels de son choix.
6. Les trois autres « runner ups » (quatrième à sixième) recevront chacun USD 100 pour l’achat de livres professionnels de leurs choix.
7. Les articles gagnants seront publiés dans les diverses publications, y comprenant  une édition spéciale de Pharmalink qui sera distribué à la WHA.
8. Les gagnants seront informés au plus tard le 28 février 2007
9. La décision des juges sera finale.


*Veuillez noter:

Les membres des Associations Chrétiennes de Santé ou autres corps coordonnateurs qui sont des membres enregistrés de EPN sont reconnus comme membres associés et par conséquent leurs personnels peuvent participer. Veuillez vérifier avec votre association relevante si vous n’êtes pas sûr de son statu à EPN.

Envoyez vos entrées à:

Français:
EPN Réseau Pharmaceutique Œcuménique
BP 108, Ouagadougou 01,
Burkina Faso
Email: epn.burkina@fasonet.bf
Fax: +226 / 50 36 34 66


Anglais:
Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN)
P. O. Box 73860 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: epn@wananchi.com
Fax: +254 20 4441090