E-drug: 1st Africa Regional Conference on TB Pharmaceutical Management
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Fighting Drug-Resistant TB in the 21st Century:
Novel Approaches to Pharmaceutical Management
1st Africa Regional Conference on TB Pharmaceutical Management
Johannesburg, South Africa
July 19-21, 2011
Over the past decade, the worldwide tuberculosis (TB) situation has changed due to the establishment of global initiatives such as the Global Fund, Global Drug Facility and the Green Light Committee that have dramatically increased funding for TB, improved the availability of quality-assured TB medicines, and increased sources of technical assistance and capacity building. Yet, despite these efforts, multidrug resistant (MDR) TB continues to be a global threat, with an estimated 400,000 people developing MDR TB every year and only a small proportion actually reported and treated. Now, extensively drug-resistant TB has emerged, creating a monumental public health challenge.
To emphasize the critical nature of pharmaceutical management in the treatment of MDR TB, the Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) Program of Management Sciences for Health, funded by the US Agency for International Development, is collaborating with The World Health Organization and Stop TB partners to host the first Africa regional conference on strengthening TB pharmaceutical management systems to fight drug-resistant TB.
The conference's objective is the identification of specific actions the region can take to ensure universal access to quality TB medicines and commodities and contain drug resistance through their appropriate use. In addition, participants will learn how to use modern technologies, frameworks, best practices, and new TB tools to strengthen TB pharmaceutical management systems.
The conference will address the following topics-
-Regional perspective on current strengths and challenges for TB diagnosis and treatment in Africa
-Impact of current and new TB diagnostic tools on pharmaceutical management
-Improving TB procurement and drug supply management systems
-Mechanisms for accessing first and second line TB medicines
-Strengthening management information systems for TB
-Organizing national TB programs for optimum pharmaceutical management
-Building public-private coalitions to reduce spread of drug resistant TB
-TB/HIV management and service integration
By the end of the conference, countries will have identified the main pharmaceutical management challenges hindering their achievement of TB targets. Participants will develop strategies to address challenges through discussions, tools, and frameworks. Results and recommendations from the conference will be published and presented at the 42nd Union World TB conference.
For more information, please visit the conference site: http://africatb2011.wordpress.com
For any questions please contact africatb2011@msh.org.
Marie Maroun
Senior Communications Associate
Management Sciences for Health http://www.msh.org
mmaroun@msh.org