Netlink is a bi- monthly email newsletter of the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN). Its purpose is to keep EPN members in touch and updated on what is going on within the Network. If you would like to contribute or comments on the content, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This and previous editions of Netlink are available at http://www.epnetwork.org

Christmas Reflections …
The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:35 New American Standard Bible

In this edition:

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EPN FORUM 2010

Health System Strengthening: Focus on pharmaceutical service delivery
The 2010 EPN forum will be held on 18th -20th March 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya. The biennial EPN forum is an opportunity for everyone involved and interested in pharmaceutical service delivery to meet and share information on best practices, challenges and future perspectives. The focus of the 2010 forum is service delivery by church health systems.
This is a preliminary announcement; look out for detailed information on forum activities and how to register.

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MEMBER NEWS

Dr. Peter Okaalet publishes a new book titled Bridge Builder
Dr. Peter Okaalet, Senior Africa Director of MAP International and a former board member of EPN, has published a new book titled: Bridge Builder- Uniting Faith and Science for an AIDS free Generation in Africa.
The book is a biographical account of his passionate contribution and his efforts to bridge the gap between doctors and the clergy, to forge a common front against the spread of HIV and Aids especially in resource limited countries. Further information may be obtained from the publisher’s website www.wordalivepublishers.org.
Public Private Partnership (PPP) for health services in Tanzania.
The Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC) hosted a Public Private Partnership (PPP) forum for Kilimanjaro. The forum was aimed at assessing the current developments on partnership between Government and FBOs in delivering health services in Kilimanjaro, as well as to work out and agree on the strategies for strengthening PPP in the region. PPPs would help to provide reliable treatment for many rural populations where the government has no hospital since most of church health facilities are situated in rural areas where over 77 percent of Tanzanians live. At the moment in Kilimanjaro, there are 9 hospitals, 5 health centre and 68 dispensaries run by FBOs.

EPN conducts technical meeting on strengthening pharmaceutical service delivery
Twenty pharmaceutical professionals from 10 countries within EPN on September 2009 attended a technical meeting in Kenya intended to use the expertise within the Network to develop tools and activities to strengthen pharmaceutical service delivery within EPN member institutions. A wide range of areas were addressed including the development of standards for hospital pharmacy practice, the EPN Fight AMR Campaign and the ongoing pharmaceutical human resource mapping studies.

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FIGHT AMR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

EPN conducts workshop on AMR and Infection Control in Rwanda
EPN with technical support from USAID supported MSH/SPS programme, on November 2009 conducted a successful Francophone workshop on AMR and Infection Control in Rwanda. The workshop was attended by mainly medical doctors and pharmacists from Rwanda, Benin, Togo, DRC, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Chad, 4 participants from MSH/SPS Rwanda and a representative from the Pharmacy Task Force (PTF)/Ministry of Health Rwanda also attended.

Participants shared experiences on AMR and Infection Control from their countries. SPS’s Infection Control self Assessment Tool (ICAT) was applied in a successful field visit to Kibagagaba Hospital in Kigali where the participants covered 4 Modules. The participants found the workshop relevant and the ICAT tool very useful and were ready to implement the ICAT in their own settings.

Do not take antibiotics for colds and flu
A participatory show by children presented to parents was performed in Bricheni, Moldova as part of the Fight AMR campaign The show, whose key message was don't take antibiotics for colds and flu was presented by children aged 5 and 6 years in the presence of parents, teachers, hospital directors, physicians and pharmacists. The children used educative costumes to enforce the messages, for instance costumes that represent viruses, bacteria, and antibiotics. Parents were urged to take preventive measures i.e. by providing children with fruits, vegetables, tea with honey, washing hands and using disposable tissues.

EPN and UON host a public education forum on antimicrobial resistance
EPN in collaboration with University of Nairobi (UON), on 13th August 2009, successfully hosted a public education forum to discuss the importance of preserving the effectiveness of available medicines for future generations.

The forum was attended by a number of players in the Kenyan health sector and medical school students from the University of Nairobi. It was facilitated by panel of experts chaired by Prof. Zipporah W.W. Ngumi, Dean School of Medicine, and College of Health Science.

Antimicrobial Resistance study in secondary schools in Arusha
A study to assess the knowledge of AMR was carried out by Mission for Essential Medical Supplies (MEMS) in three high schools in Arusha namely: Iliboru High Secondary School, Arusha Secondary School, and Arusha Meru School.

The results showed that students studying science combinations had a greater knowledge of antimicrobial resistance compared to those taking arts subjects. Only 8% of those interviewed from the arts school knew the meaning of AMR compared to 64% in the science school. A considerable number of students, 20% from the combination schools knew the meaning of AMR compared to the Arts students. These results may influence future implementation programs on antibiotics use therefore helping in reducing their misuse.

ECWA Central Pharmacy conducts AMR workshop in Nigeria
ECWA Central Pharmacy hosted a stakeholder’s workshop as part of the fight AMR campaign launched by EPN in May 2009. The workshop was held at ECWA central pharmacy conference hall in Jos Plateau State Nigeria in May 2009. Participants from the Federal Ministry of Health, Food and Drug Control Agency, Drug Supply Organisations, academic and research institutions, developmental partners, local pharmaceutical manufacturers and retail shops, hospitals, media and professional associations attended the workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to identify and prioritize the problems related to AMR in Nigeria and propose recommendation if possible on a national action plan to be taken by workshop participants and other stakeholders.

CHAN Medi-Pharm conducts Fight AMR symposium
The symposium was organized as part of an effort to raise awareness and stimulate action to combat antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria. It was organized by CHAN Medi-Pharm with technical support from EPN with part sponsorship by DIFAEM. Engaging discussions aimed at creating awareness on AMR were conducted. Following the symposium, CHAN Medi-Pharm was invited by Food and drug services division, of the Federal Ministry of Health to take part in the development of the National formulary and drug policy.

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PARTNER NEWS

HAI briefing on Unethical promotion of medicines in Africa
Health Action International in July 2009 conducted a briefing meeting on their study titled: Unethical medicines promotion in Africa: a barrier to RUM (A study of print advertisement in five countries in East and Southern Africa). The study showed that unethical drug promotion is a problem and a barrier to rational use of medicine since health professionals often get their information through the pharmaceutical industry.

Assessment Pharmaceutical Services in DRC (Kivu)
DIFAEM with technical support from EPN conducted an assessment of the pharmaceutical situation in DRC, Kivu area in Eastern-Congo in July 2009. The main goal of the assessment trip was to assess the pharmaceutical situation and the needs of FBOs and related organisations in DRC order to enhance further collaboration.

Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership GARP_Kenya Inaugural meeting
The Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP) is an initiative of resources for the future who intend to work with scientists and other partners in 5 countries to develop national plans for the containment of antibiotic resistance based on a scientific approach. EPN has been invited to join the national working group that will support development of the Kenya plan.

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SECRETARIAT NEWS

Eva Ombaka publishes an article on Current status of medicines procurement
In her article, Dr. Eva Ombaka highlights the need for pharmaceutical procurement to be done in a way that ensures transparency and a corruption-free process. She argues that unethical practices can contribute to the introduction of unsafe medical products into the supply chain which may result to potentially serious health consequences.
The full article - Current status of medicines procurement - is available on line: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Vol. 66, Issue 5_Supplement_3, s20-s28

Erastus and Company appointed new auditors for EPN
EPN has appointed Erastus and Company of Nairobi to be the new EPN auditors for the year 2009. The company will conduct its first audit in January 2010. The appointment came after Carr Stanyer Gitau and Company who served EPN since 2006 completed their term.

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