Publications Netlink Netlink - August 2007
| Netlink - August 2007 |
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Netlink is the members’ email newsletter for the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN). Netlink aims to help members keep in touch with what is going on in the Network. If you have any information to contribute or comments on the content, or if you would like to unsubscribe, subscribe or recommend someone to receive it, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it First thought:"There is nothing better than for a man to enjoy his work, because that is his lot." Ecclesiastes 3:22 Drug Supply Organizations (DSO) hold a successful feedback meetingThe EPN member Drug Supply Organization (DSO) feedback meeting which was highlighted in the June edition of the Netlink newsletter was held in Lagos, Nigeria from 13th – 17th August 2007. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss findings and recommendations from various studies commissioned as follow up activities of the multi-country study of medicine supply and distribution activities of faith-based organizations. The commissioned studies were on distribution systems, software options, quality control and local production. During the meeting participants also discussed key issues in antibiotic resistance and antiretroviral medicines. Their own activities undertaken since the last DSO meeting in Nairobi in June 2004 were submitted in writing and will be included in the meeting report. (DSOs that have not submitted reports detailing their activities from 2004 to present time are requested to do so.) The meeting highlighted the need to develop tools to assist in key decision making processes. Also highlighted was the need to emphasize the dangers of Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) within the church-health institutions. Other key issues discussed were the need to be careful in use of appropriate language when communicating relevant issues to different audiences e.g. church leaders and health professionals. The future roles of DSOs were issues of intense discussions and interest which identified some key concerns that need addressing. Though the meeting agenda was very full, the participants were appreciative of the opportunity to interact, receive feedback and give their opinions on the different studies. Programme officer participates in medical students’ general assemblyThe EPN HIV/AIDS Programme officer attended the 58th International Federation of Medical Students Associations General Assembly at the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK from 4th – 10th August 2007. The assembly brought together over 900 delegates representing medical students’ associations from 93 countries. During the assembly, whose theme was access to essential medicines, the Programme officer made a presentation which focused on factors that lead to poor access to essential medicines in developing countries. From this meeting it has become clear that it is important to sensitize students, before they complete their studies, on issues surrounding access to essential medicines. Therefore all those working on access to essential medicines and Rational Use of Medicines (RUM) issues need to seek entry points within medical and pharmaceutical training institutions and associations where they can pass on information. Coordinator participates in Women’s Global HIV/AIDS SummitThe first international conference on women’s leadership and AIDS was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 2nd – 7th July 2007. The conference dubbed the International Women’s Summit (IWS) was convened by the World Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and brought together over 2000 women participants form all over the world to discuss HIV and AIDS issues from a woman’s perspective. During the meeting, the EPN coordinator made a presentation at the session “Making the Link between AIDS and Trade.” The session sought to examine the impact of international trade policies on HIV and AIDS and the barriers some of these policies pose to achieving universal access to affordable medicines particularly for those living with HIV and AIDS. CFP-Moldova part of educational programme on antimicrobial resistanceThe EPN Country Focal Point (CFP) in Moldova is part of a team that coordinates a two-year (2006-7) project for the Kindergarten Educational Programme. The aim of the project is to educate both children and parents to stop the use of antibiotics to treat colds and flu in children and to develop and implement a programme where kindergarten children help to educate the community, through drama, on the dangers of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Activities for the project include an international conference held in Tiraspol and Bricheni, Moldova from 4th – 7th June 2007. During the conference, children presented plays and skits with the message “Don’t take antibiotics for cold and flu.” This was based on a survey conducted by the team which showed that seventy-six percent of children who had a cold or flu within a given year were given an antibiotic. Plans are underway to extend the programme to more schools and kindergartens in Moldova. Development of the Information management system (database) beginsIn 2006 the EPN secretariat identified the need to develop a comprehensive information management system. We are pleased to announce that the development of the system is underway and should be completed and running in the next six weeks. For security reasons and to prevent the use of email addresses by junk mail senders, the system will only be accessible within the secretariat. However Network members will benefit from its installation given that on the completion of the exercise communication from the secretariat will become easier and more regular. The system will incorporate the Network members’ database, programme activities and Network contacts. EPN Forum report and Annual Report publishedThe 2006 EPN Annual Report has been published. The report highlights details of key activities within the Network and secretariat which took place in 2006. Also published is the EPN Forum 2006 report. This report highlights the proceedings of the EPN Forum meeting held in Tuebingen, Germany. Both reports will be disseminated to EPN members via postal mail. They can be accessed from the EPN website (http://www.epnetwork.org) Dates of 2008 EPN ForumAt the EPN Forum meeting in Tuebingen, Germany in May 2006 it was agreed that the Forum meeting would be held in Francophone Africa. Though the dates were not set at the time, Yaounde, Cameroon was accepted as the venue for the 2008 Forum. The dates have now been set and the Forum will take place from 26th – 30th May 2008. Please mark these dates in your diaries. Though every effort will be made to fundraise, members are requested, when preparing their organizations’ budget for 2008, to allocate funds to cater for the costs of the meeting. More details of the meeting will be made available in due time. Change of email addressAs the size of the Network grows, the secretariat is seeking to find ways to make communication more efficient. The EPN secretariat would therefore like to inform all its members, partners, friends and contacts of a change in its email address. The new email addresses are: Dr. Eva Ombaka (coordinator)
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Kindly inform all your contacts of this change. |