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e-Pharmalink - May 2006
Essential medicines and human rights The May 2006 edition of the Bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO) has an article by Hans Hogerzeil entitled "Essential medicines and human rights: what can they learn from each other? The article provides an overview of what the international human rights instruments mention about access to essential medicines, and proposes five assessment questions and practical recommendations for governments in providing essential medicines as a human right. These recommendations cover the selection of essential medicines, participation in program development, mechanisms for transparency and accountability, equitable access by vulnerable groups and redress mechanisms. The 5 key questions are:
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/84/5/371.pdf (Hard copy: pages 371-375) Patenting drug to limit global access to essential drugs People living with HIV/AIDS have opposed the patent application by a biopharmaceutical company, Gilead Sciences, of the key AIDS drug tenofovir. If granted the application would prevent the generic production of tenofovir in India until 2018. This would limit the production of generic medicines and keep prices of ARVs high as well as have a negative impact on the scale up of global AIDS treatment. ARV drug registered in South Africa A first-line combination antiretroviral drug Triomune has been registered in South Africa. The drug is thought to have lower costs associated with storage, production, dispensing and transport, which will likely increase patients' access to it. ARV drug price reduction The price of the antiretroviral drug efavirenz (STOCRIN) has been reduced by between 20 and 22 percent depending on the formulation. The manufacturers of the drug attribute the cost reduction to new efficiencies and cost savings resulting from improved manufacturing processes. The price of the 600mg formulation has been reduced by 20 percent from $0.95 to $ 0.76 per day, while that of the 200mg formulation has been reduced from $0.46 to $0.36 per capsule. Religious leaders devise new strategy to combat HIV/AIDS The African Network of Religious Leaders Living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS (ANARELA+) has developed a new strategy for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The new strategy called SAVE stands for Safer practices, Available medications, Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and Empowerment through education. Some organizations are using the SAVE strategy in place of the ABC message (Abstinence, Be faithful, use a Condom). They say that SAVE combines prevention and care as well as providing messages to counter stigma. TB resistance to second-line drugs increasing According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Tuberculosis (TB) which is resistance to second-line drugs is becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. The data which was published in the March 24th edition of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report states that individuals who have TB with resistance to second-line drugs have a significantly increased risk of death compared to patients with resistance to first-line drugs. Cotrimoxazole, antiretroviral therapy, and use of insecticide-treated nets dramatically reduce the frequency of malaria Giving people living with HIV cotrimoxazole, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and using insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) reduces the frequency of malaria by 95%, according to a study published in the April 15th issue of The Lancet. Multi-Country Study of Medicine Supply and Distribution Activities of Faith-Based Organizations The Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a report which gives results of a descriptive, comparative multi-country study on medicine supply and distribution activities of faith-based organizations in 16 sub-Saharan African countries. The study produced comprehensive information about DSOs' operations and how their services are perceived. The results confirmed that DSOs are generally performing well, largely due to their transparent procurement procedures, competitive prices and highly motivated staff. The report is available in the “latest publications” column at http://www.who.int/medicines or can be downloaded at http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/access/EN_EPNstudy.pdf Combating counterfeit drugs Following a conference in early 2006 on combating counterfeit drugs, WHO has written a background paper on “Combating counterfeit drugs: building effective international cooperation.” The 32-page paper is downloadable from: http://www.who.int/medicines/events/FINALBACKPAPER.pdf Containing antimicrobial resistance Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world’s most serious public health concerns. In April 2006 WHO developed a policy paper to assist in the discussion of this problem. The policy paper is available in English, French and Spanish respectively on: http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/policyperspectives/ppm_10_en.pdf Interagency Emergency Health Kit 2006 The third edition of the WHO Emergency Health Kit is now available on the WHO medicines website. The aim of the emergency health kit is to encourage the standardization of medicines and medical supplies (renewable) and equipment needed in emergencies and disasters. This would permit an effective response with medicines and medical devices by means of standard, pre-packed kits that could be kept in readiness to meet priority health needs in disaster situations. Its content is based on the health needs of 10,000 persons for a period of three months. Street sales of medicines – “Tiim” The name of the film is “Tiim” and it illustrates the sale of medicines in Burkina Faso. The film was made by Pharmaciens Sans Frontieres (Pharmacists without borders) and CINOMADE. It follows one street vendor as he goes to markets, homes and farms selling medicines. The film also includes interviews of several customers, ex-customers and an ex-street vendor. The benefits of generic drugs purchased in pharmacies are also discussed. The film illustrates the problems with street sale of medicines in developing countries, why people buy and sell medicines in this way, and possible solutions. It can be used as a teaching resource for pharmacy students, medical students and those learning about healthcare in developing countries. -- end -- ( categories: e-Pharmalink )
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