E-DRUG: Joint WHO/HAI/EPN/ReAct briefing on Rational Use of Medicines
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[Please can you share with e-drug the outcomes of your briefing session? BS]
Dear All,
A Joint WHO/HAI/ReAct/EPN briefing session on Rational Use of Medicines, which will take place on Tuesday 15th May at the United Nations Palais, Geneva, Switzerland.
We invite you to be present if you are in the vicinity at the time.
The aim is to share experiences from around the world on systematic, coordinated, health system approaches to achieve rational use of medicines, and to discuss how the new Resolution on rational use of medicines will contribute to the process.
For more information, see the programme below.
Teresa
Teresa Leonardo Alves
European Campaigns Coordinator
Health Action International (HAI) Europe
Jacob van Lennepkade 334T
1053 NJ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 683 3684
Fax: +31 20685 5002
Email:teresa@haiweb.org
Web site: http://www.haiweb.org
Health Action International (HAI) is an independent, global network
working to increase access to essential medicines and improve their
rational use.
Joint WHO/NGO briefing at the WHA on:
Saving lives, saving money: achieving rational use of medicines in health services
May 15th, 12:30-14:00
Venue: Salle IX at UN Palais
Organizing Committee: Department of Medicines Policy and Standards in
association with Consumers International, Health Action International,
World Council of Churches/Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network and React:
action on antibiotic resistance.
The aim is to share experiences from around the world on systematic,
coordinated, health system approaches to achieve rational use of
medicines, and to discuss how the new Resolution on rational use of
medicines will contribute to the process.
Chaired by:
Dr Palitha Abeykoon, Sri Lanka Ministry of Health
Co-chairs
Dr. Ravi Narayan, India
Dr. Jigme Singay, Bhutan Ministry of Health
Programme
Opening Remarks by the Chair
troduction: What the new proposed resolution would mean for Member
States?
A short introduction to the session will be given highlighting the
objectives and the implications of the proposed resolution on rational
use of medicines which advocates cross-cutting health systems approach
to promoting rational use of medicines.
Presenter: Kathleen Holloway, Department of Medicines Policy and
Standards, WHO Geneva
Irrational use of antibiotics - the misuse of a miracle
The talk will highlight the burden of antibiotic resistance (health
related and economical consequences) driven by irrational use of
antibiotics, spread of bacteria and poor health care hygiene practice.
Examples will be given on how political support has been mobilized in
Sweden and Europe, to meet the need of a multidisciplinary approach.
Presenters: Otto Cars, React: Action on Antibiotic Resistance and STRAMA
Improving Public Health? Drug Promotion & Rational Use of Medicines
What are the implications for public health of the widespread promotion
of medicines to health professionals and -increasingly-to the public?
The recent experience with the arthritis drug Vioxx (rofecoxib) is
sobering. The regulation of drug promotion is the responsibility of
national regulatory agencies. However, many countries do not have a
functioning system of drug regulation and few allocate adequate
resources to regulation of drug promotion. Unethical drug promotion
plays a key role in irrational use. Implementation of the WHO Ethical
Criteria, and enactment and enforcement of legislation are needed if
advances are to be made in rational drug use, in the interest of public
health. Recent examples from Asia, Latin America and Europe will be
presented.
Presenters: Teresa Alves and Barbara Mintzes, Health Action
International
Rational use of medicines: economic implications - savings on drug
expenditure
The talk will highlight several case studies from private and public
health institutions in Africa. The cases studies will describe savings
made on drug expenditure as a result of strategies implemented to
promote rational use of medicines. How the health systems supported or
undermined the solutions found will be discussed.
Presenters: Atieno Ojoo, Chief Pharmacist, Kenyatta Hospital and Eva
Ombaka, World Council of Churches - Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network
National approach to promote rational use of medicine: the experience of
Oman
The talk will present the weaknesses of an ad-hoc and piece-meal
approach to promoting rational use of medicines and how the country
developed a national programme and became systematic in promoting
rational use of medicines at different levels of health care system.
This approach combined appropriate interventions, created appropriate
human resources, developed the required technical guidelines and
frameworks. All these efforts were coordinated through establishing a
dedicated unit within the Ministry of Health and an on-going planning,
monitoring and evaluation system. The presentation will also highlight
the lessons learnt and the successes of this national approach in terms
of maximising the usefulness of medicines and minimizing the negative
effect of irrational use of medicines both in terms of health outcomes
as well as financial losses.
Presenters: Jaffer Batool, Director of the Directorate of Rational Drug
Use, Ministry of Health Oman
Discussion and concluding remarks by Panel