E-DRUG: MedIC Course in Pharmaceutical Policy Analysis - Date Change
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The dates for this course have changed and a limited number of scholarships are now available.
The WHO Collaborating Center in Pharmaceutical Policy, Boston, USA;
Ateneo de Manila University; and the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation, Manila, Philippines announce the
Medicines and Insurance Coverage (MedIC) Initiative
Course in Pharmaceutical Policy Analysis
at the Ateneo Professional Schools, Ateneo de Manila University,
Rockwell Center, Makati City, Philippines
September 23 through 29, 2007
** PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN COURSE DATES **
Background
Medicines coverage through health insurance programs can be a
scaleable and sustainable means to improve access to and use of
medicines. Evidence-based medicines policy decision making is
required to achieve maximum benefits at affordable costs. We are
offering a unique 6-day course in medicines policy analysis.
The course is primarily intended for policy makers, analysts,
actuaries, and others involved in making medicines benefit decisions
for health insurance programs in Asia. We especially seek teams of
3-5 participants from individual health insurance programs committed
to active policy assessment and implementation after the course.
Others interested in pharmaceutical policy issues in health systems
may also benefit from the course. To allow for effective group work,
the maximum number of participants will be 40.
Objectives
Participants will enhance skills to identify problems in medicines
access and use, and to design, implement, and evaluate medicines
benefit policies in health insurance systems.
Design
This highly interactive course will consist of small and large group
case discussions and small group hands-on analyses of health insurance
program data. During the course, participants will focus on a
specific medicines policy issue relevant to their system, and develop
a post-course plan to design and implement a policy intervention to
improve key outcomes. The course language is English.
Selected Topics
Participants and facilitators will address a broad range of questions
that arise when making evidence-based medicines policy decisions,
including:
· Why extend coverage for medicines in health insurance programs?
· Which groups of enrollees benefit the most from expanded medicines coverage?
· What are the advantages and disadvantages of specific medicines policies?
· What is the best way to design, implement, and manage a formulary?
· How can routine medicines data be used to develop evidence-based policies?
· How can insurance programs evaluate changes in medicines coverage?
· What are the best measures for routine monitoring of medicines policies?
Course Facilitators
The course will be led by a team of experienced facilitators who have
worked for two decades on improving use of medicines and who are
actively involved in evaluating medicines coverage policies in
developed and developing countries. Facilitators will include Drs.
Anita Wagner and Dennis Ross-Degnan (http://dacp.org/facult) Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; Drs. Marife
Yap, John Wong, and Kenneth Hartigan-Go from the Health Unit, Graduate
School of Business, Ateneo de Manila University; Dr. Madeleine Valera
from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation; Dr. Richard Laing
from WHO/Geneva; and Dr. John Chalker, Coordinator of the
International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD).
Local Course Director:
Maria Eufemia Yap, MD, MSc
Health Unit, Ateneo Graduate School of Business
Ateneo Professional Schools
Phone: +61 (0)2 899 7692 local 2209 to 2211
E-mail: meyap@aps.ateneo.edu or marife_yap@yahoo.com
International Course Director:
Anita Wagner, PharmD, MPH, DrPH
Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention
Harvard Medical School & Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Phone: +1 617 509 9956
E-mail: awagner@hms.harvard.edu
Tuition
The tuition for the course is US $1500.00. Tuition covers the 6-day
workshop, training materials, computer use, lunch and refreshments
during the course, a welcome reception and a welcome dinner.
Participants are responsible for covering the costs of travel,
accommodation, breakfast and dinner (except for the welcome dinner),
and incidentals. A limited number of scholarships are available.
Logistics
The course begins in the afternoon of Sunday, September 23, 2007 with
registration and a welcome reception. Participants from insurance
programs will be requested to complete a questionnaire about their
programs prior to the course. The course ends in the evening of
Saturday, September 29, 2007.
Participants need to make their own travel arrangements and book their
accommodations. Recommendations for hotels near the course facilities
with special rates can be obtained when registering for the course.
Registration and Payment
Completed registration forms and payments by applicants or sponsors
need to be received via mail, fax, or e-mail by Friday, August 31,
2007. Space will be limited and participants are encouraged to apply
early.
For registration form, suggestions for hotels:
Ms. Khrisna Reyes, Health Unit, Ateneo Graduate School of Business,
Makati City, Philippines; Phone: +63 (0)2 899 7691 local 2211; Fax:
+63 (0)2 899 4589; E-mail: khrisnareyes@yahoo.com and
kreyes@aps.ateneo.edu
For registration form, tuition payment, information about scholarships:
Ms. Joyce Cheatham, Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention,
Harvard Phone: +1 617 [8]joyce_cheatham@hphc.org.