RUM

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.

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.

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.

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]

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

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.

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