e-pharmalink is an electronic newsletter of the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN), an independent, non-profit Christian organization, whose mission is to support churches and church health systems provide and promote just and compassionate quality pharmaceutical services through networking, access to medicine and treatment literacy programmes.

This newsletter aims at providing health professionals with current information about HIV, TB and Malaria that could support them in their efforts to provide effective and efficient services. It is a summary of news reported by a wide range of publications or organizations and includes web links to the original sources. Subscription to this newsletter is open to all interested parties.

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

Revealing the hidden pandemic of antimicrobial resistance
Almost half (28 of 62) of patients could not be treated with available antibiotics due to resistance against these medicines - 86% of these patients were newborns says Dr Florence Najjuka from Makerere University, Uganda. Her presentation was given at the EPN/ReAct launch of the campaign "Fight AMR-save medicines for our children" during the World Health Assembly May 20th.
http://www.reactgroup.org/dyn/,3,,.html

Regular clinic attendance linked to 100% adherence in 2 Indian centers
People who kept clinic appointments regularly were significantly more likely to report 100% adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a two-center Indian study. Nevertheless, distance from the clinic did not correlate with adherence.
http://www.iasociety.org/Default.aspx?pageId=5&elementId=11877

Blood tests and better communication skills could reduce over-prescribing of antibiotics
Improving communications skills and the use of a simple blood test could help cut the growing number of inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics, a joint Cardiff University trial has discovered.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-05/cu-bta052109.php
www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/may05_1/b1374?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=cals&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=date&resourcetype=HWCIT

New lead on malaria treatment
Approximately 350 million to 500 million cases of malaria are diagnosed each year mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. While medications to prevent and treat malaria do exist, the demand for new treatments is on the rise, in part, because malaria parasites have developed a resistance to existing medications. Now, Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered one way to stop malaria parasite growth, and this new finding could guide the development of new malaria treatments.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-05/jhmi-nlo051809.php

TUBERCULOSIS

Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
More than two million people worldwide die from tuberculosis infection every year. Due in part to inappropriate antibiotic usage, there are a rising number (0.5 million in 2007) of cases of Multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) tuberculosis. New therapies are needed to treat these dangerous infections.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-05/ajop-th051809.php

Children in rural South Africa may be at increased risk of acquiring MDR-TB in hospitals
Children may be at risk of acquiring Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in hospitals in South Africa and more resources should be directed at preventing and controlling infection spread in hospitals, according to research published at the Fourth South African AIDS Conference in Durban.
http://aidsmap.com/en/news/DE695EA8-8A42-4882-84DE-F081B4F1CFE8.asp

Tuberculosis Crisis Looming In Swaziland
The Swazi government's slow response to a fast-growing tuberculosis epidemic has eroded the possibility of controlling it, says the National TB Control Programme manager. There has been a nearly ten-fold increase in the last 20 years from about 1,000 TB cases per year in 1987 to over 9,600 cases in 2007, exacerbated by the world's highest HIV prevalence rate – 80% of the TB cases are also co-infected with HIV.
http://www.ipsterraviva.net/europe/article.aspx?id=7289

HIV AND AIDS

HIV Infection a Risk Factor for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to summarize the evidence on the association between HIV infection and MDR-TB.
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.000556

CD4 cell counts becoming lower soon after infection with HIV
The initial CD4 cell counts of patients newly infected with HIV fell significantly between 1985 and 2001, US research published in the May 1st edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases has shown.

This suggests that the virus may have evolved to become more virulent during this period, which could have clinical implications, shortening the interval between infection with HIV and the need to start HIV treatment.
http://aidsmap.com/en/news/0062784F-A1FD-4B4E-AB12-DA1F2693D8F8.asp

Single DNA change may identify susceptibility to tenofovir-related kidney damage
Spanish researchers have identified a single genetic change that increases fivefold the risk of kidney damage among people with HIV taking tenofovir.
http://aidsmap.com/en/news/CC9657FB-EFE0-4999-8B23-20A3D5082552.asp

Do not take Gingko with efavirenz
The herbal remedy Ginkgo should not be taken with the anti-HIV drug efavirenz, Dutch investigators warn in the June 1st edition of AIDS. They report the case of an individual whose viral load became detectable with the development of drug resistance because Ginkgo interacted with efavirenz
http://aidsmap.com/en/news/A6F3B12F-7937-4F9B-BC73-11DA35FB7574.asp

RESOURCES

PUBLICATIONS

Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequities in Nakuru, Kenya
The paper examines the health status of residents in a major urban centre in Kenya and reviews the effects of selected social determinants on local health. Through field surveys, focus group discussions and a literature review, the study canvasses past and current initiatives and recommends priority actions. Areas identified that unevenly affect the health of the most vulnerable segments of the population were: water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, housing, the organisation of health care services and transportation.
http://www.equityhealthj.com/content/pdf/1475-9276-8-16.pdf

Theologians open conversation on HIV prevention
HIV Prevention: A Global Theological Conversation is a result of a remarkable consultation held in early 2008 of 35 leading Christian theologians and practitioners, including people living with HIV, from five continents and many church traditions. The book is an essential resource for church leaders, theologians, teachers and strategists who are committed to a positive, informed and compassionate engagement with HIV prevention.
http://www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/hivaids/publications/theological-conversation/

FUNDING AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Rational Management of Medicines - a focus on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria
EPN announce a sponsorship opportunity (course fee only) for 5 of its members to attend the course offered by the Swiss Tropical Institute (STI) and partners in Ifakara Tanzania on Rational Management of Medicines - A focus on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. Applications should be submitted to EPN by 31/7/2009. Send an application for support including a write up of 500 words on how this course will benefit your organization to: Donna Kusemererwa
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Behavior Change and Communication in HIV/AIDS (Jul 13-24 2009)
Behavior Change and Communication in HIV/AIDS course is intended to assist a diverse audience of health and health related professionals in public, private, and community sectors and develop skills and strategies to prevent or reduce behaviors that place persons at risk for STD or HIV infections.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/266724/38

African Women's Development Fund - HIV/AIDS Fund – Africa
Administered by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), the HIV/AIDS Fund is meant to complement existing resources available to African women’s organisations working on issues related to HIV and AIDS, and to increase access for those who are currently unable to carry out effective programmes due to lack of funding.
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267126/38