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/

For thought …

“This is what the almighty says: Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”
Zachariah 7:9 (NIV)

In this edition:

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EPN and React Launch Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Campaign

The EPM AMR campaign Fight AMR Save Medicines for our Children was successfully Launched in collaboration with ReAct at the World Health Assembly on 20 May 2009.  Shocking data on the consequences of the ongoing pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) was presented.
Almost half (28 of 62) of patients in a Ugandan hospital could not be treated with available antibiotics due to resistance against these medicines – 86% of these patients were newborns.” A significant number of these babies died” said Dr Florence Najjuka. “10 years ago these lives could have been saved, but today the remaining treatment options are way too costly for most parents.”

The launch took place as part of a public dialogue chaired by Prof Didier Pittet of the World Alliance for Patient Safety.  Short presentations on the global and local situation with respect to AMR were presented as well as an overview of the activities taking place in EPN member countries.  The launch brought together Country Delegates, WHO staff and civil society and addressed the critical need of leadership and action to contain AMR. The participants realized that immediate action has to be taken on all levels to contain AMR and that Governments had the ultimate responsibility. “Dr Florence’s data are deeply worrying and they only show the tip of the iceberg”, says Professor Otto Cars, director of ReAct – Action on Antibiotic Resistance. “Complacency is no longer acceptable.”

The team from EPN included the board chair Mr. Albert Petersen, Francophone program office Anke Meiburg, and a representative of the membership, Dr. Florence Najjuka.  The team from ReAct included Otto Cars and Liselotte Högberg.  EPN would like to appreciate the support of the partners mentioned above as well as the ongoing support from the USAID supported SPS program of MSH for AMR activities. 

Country campaigns were launched in at least 7 countries around the same time Tanzania, Togo, Moldova, Kenya, Cameroon and Malawi.  Technical and financial support for launch itself was provided by ReAct while in country activities were supported by Difäem.

A number of advocacy materials were developed for the launch itself including posters, book marks and fliers.  The Call to Action document developed after the Moshi AMR workshop was translated to Spanish, Russian and French.  Some of the materials developed were provided to members for distribution in country while the rest were used for the launch in Geneva.  In Kenya, John Kiambuthi, of MEDS was interviewed on EPN’s behalf on the campaign launch and other AMR activities being undertaken.

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MEDS Launches Quality Control Laboratory

Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies MEDS officially launched their WHO pre-qualified quality testing laboratory on 29th May 2009. The Chief Guest at the event was Kenya’s Medical Services minister Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o.  Other high level dignitaries from the Ministry of Medical services, government agencies and international organizations also attended the function The new status of the lab will help boost the Kenya government's capabilities in fighting the trade in substandard and counterfeit medicines.

Prior to the launch of MEDS laboratory, the only lab in Kenya qualified to carry out testing on medicines quality and identify counterfeit drugs was the government-run National Quality Control Laboratory. However, this unit has reportedly found it difficult to cope with the sheer scale of the counterfeit medicines trade in Kenya, estimated at 15 to 40 per cent of the total drugs market.

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Training and Joint GMP Audits of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Kenya

Staff from EPN members- CHAM, MEDS, JMS and Action Medeor Tanzania- attended a training and a joint Good Manufacturing practice (GMP) audit April 24th to May 7th in Nairobi. The training was organised to impact skills in pharmaceutical auditing of manufacturers.
The training and audit program was funded by Difaem and Action Medeor Germany.
Langton Mukura one of the participants from Malawi commended the knowledge gained to be important for the members as it will help in deciding which manufacturers to procure from.

He further emphasised that the audit was special in that collective collaboration of DSOs will have a greater impact as opposed to an individual effort. It is hoped that the companies audited will be able to take corrective actions on the deficiencies observed as they will be afraid that all the DSOs may not procure from them in future.

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Difäem Donates Books to EPN Member DSOs

Difäem- EPN Member in Tübingen/Germany- with financial support from Bread for the World collected important books and publications to avail to all DSOs who are members of EPN. This was a follow up to the Multi-country study that EPN/WHO conducted in 2006, which highlighted the lack of pharmaceutical reference literature as a concern highlighted among plenty of other issues.

The organisations that benefited from the donations include: CHAZ, CHAM, ICSA, JMS, MEDS, CBC, PCC, NCS Ghana, CHANMEDIPHARM, ECWA, MEMS, CHAL, CHASL, OCASC, ASSOMESCA, APROMESTO, EEC/DOM, BUFMAR, ZACH, BETHSEDA, EEC- Cameroon, CBCA, CSSC, ASSEMBLEES CHRETIENNES AU TCHAD, and the Secretariat.

The List of books includes

• Martindale Extra Pharmacoepia
• British Pharmacoepia
• United States Pharmacoepia
• British National Formulary 2008
• An assortment of WHO Publications
• Dict.  Vidal
• MSH Essential medicines list and clinical guidelines in French and English.   

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CHAK elects New Chairman

Christian Health Association of Kenya’s (CHAK) Annual General Meeting, on 23rd April 2009, elected Bishop Michael Sande to the position of Chairman for a period of two years, following the retirement of Bishop Joseph Wasonga who had served the association for the maximum allowable term of six years.

Bishop Sande is the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Butere in Western Kenya. He has a professional background in Science and Pharmaceutical Industry in addition to his Theological training and experience. Before his ordination as a clergy, he served as the Managing Director of Faizal International Pharmaceutical Company and brings to the governance of CHAK a wealth of experience in the health and pharmaceutical sector.

According to CHAK Constitution, the new Chairman also becomes the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. EPN welcomes the new chairman as he leads CHAK towards the goal of health for all.

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Stop- Stock outs Campaign

Health Action International (HAI) Africa and Oxfam, in collaboration with the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN), Consumer Information Network (CIN), Kenya Access Treatment Movement (KETAM) and Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA), hosted the continental and national (Kenya) launch of a campaign titled “Stop Stock-outs” at the Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya on 26 Feb 2009.
Angela Mutegi, EPN communications officer, was involved in a series of meetings in both the first and second quarter with HAI Africa and other partners to develop the Stop Stock Outs campaign.  The campaign which is supported by Oxfam and Open Society Institute is intended to raise awareness about the lack of availability of medicines particularly in public health facilities and call on all relevant players to rectify the situation.  Angela also represented the campaign team at BBC interview the day of the launch in Nairobi, Kenya. 

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EPN represented at CCIH conference

Christian Connections in International Health is an organization that brings together practitioners in international health primarily from the US but increasingly from partner organizations from around the world.
The annual CCIH conference was held in Buckeystown Maryland 23-25 May 2009.  EPN was represented at the meeting as were staff from CSSC, Tanzania and Chrisitian Health Associtiaion of Sudan CHAS. EPN was given an opportunity at the start of the meeting to make a two minute presentation on the work we are doing by Milton Amayun, CCIH president. 

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OXFAM/HAI Africa Civil Society Meeting

Charles N. Kimani of MEDS represented EPN at a workshop on Access to Medicine held on 4-6th May 2009 in Addis Abba, Ethiopia.  The workshop organized by HAI Africa and Oxfam was part of their Stop Stock Outs campaign activities. Charles made a presentation on the role of faith based drug supply organization in medicine procurement in Africa.

The workshop, attended by 25 civil society organizations laid out strategies for reducing stock outs of essential medicines in public health facilities and improving access to essential medicines in Africa. It was held prior to the Fourth Conference of African Ministers of Health Meeting (CAMH4).  The theme of CAMH4 was “Universal Access to Essential Health Services: Improving maternal and Child Rights.”

Several commitments were advanced for dialogue with the stake holders  particularly allocation of  15% of National budget for  health, strengthening of health systems to ensure that essential medicines are in stock, Enactment and utilization of appropriate legislation, trade regulation and TRIPS flexibilities to ensure that essential medicines are available and affordable. Possibilities of supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing plan for Africa, which is aimed at realizing the economies of production of quality generics.   The CSO meeting was able to input into the resolutions that were adopted by the council of ministers. 

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CHAM’s Executive Director Resigns

Francis Chinjoka Gondwe recently, resigned from his position as Executive Director of CHAM.
Mr. Gondwe had worked with CHAM for a period of eleven years in various capacities. He was the Executive Director since 2007. In June 2008 Francis was appointed to the board of EPN and served in that capacity since then including hosting the EPN board meeting in Malawi in October 2008.  EPN is grateful for the good relationship that existed between CHAM and EPN while he was serving as Director and his dedication and commitment in rendering service as an EPN board member and being a good ambassador of EPN. We wish him success and fulfillment in all his endeavors.

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2008 Annual Report

You can now access the comprehensive 2008 report. The reports highlight EPN activities in 2008 towards just compassionate quality pharmaceutical services for all.  Annual Report 2008

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