E-DRUG: MedIC Course in Pharmaceutical Policy Analysis
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[If you are interested DO NO CLICK REPLY. Please respond to Ms Krishna Reyes
<kreyes[3]@aps.ateneo.edu> or <khrisna_reyes@yahoo.com> ]
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
July 8 to July 14, 2007
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 from 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; and Dr. Madeleine Valera from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Tuition
The tuition costs for the course are 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.
Travel and accommodation
Participants are responsible for covering the costs of travel, accommodation, breakfast and dinner (except for the welcome dinner), and incidentals.
Logistics
The course begins in the afternoon of Sunday, July 8, 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. Participants need to make their own travel arrangements and book their accommodations. Recommendations for hotels near the course facilities which will offer special rates can be obtained when registering for the course.
Application Process
Applicants should request a registration form from Ms. Khrisna Reyes, Health Unit, Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Ateneo Professional Schools, Rockwell Center, Makati City 1200, Philippines; Phone: +63 (0)2 899 7691 local 2211; Fax: +63 (0)2 899 4589; E-mail: kreyes[3]@aps.ateneo.edu or khrisna_reyes@yahoo.com.
Completed application forms and payments by applicants and/or their sponsors need to be received via mail, fax, or e-mail by Ms. Khrisna Reyes by Thursday, May 31, 2007.
Space will be limited and participants are encouraged to apply early. Suggestions for hotels can also be obtained from Ms. Reyes. Contact Information For further information, please contact: Anita Wagner, PharmD, MPH, DrPH Course Director Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care 133 Brookline Avenue, 6^th Floor Boston, MA 02215, USA Phone: +1 617 509 9956 Fax: +1 617 859 8112 E-mail: [5]awagner@hms.harvard.edu or Maria Eufenia Yap, MD, MSc Course Co-Director Health Unit, Ateneo Graduate School of Business Ateneo Professional Schools 20 Rockwell Center Makati City 1200, Philippines Phone: +61 (0)2 899 7692 local 2209 to 2211 Fax: +63 (0)2 899 4589 E-mail: [meyap@aps.ateneo.edu or marife_yap@yahoo.com
Anita K. Wagner, PharmD, MPH, DrPH Assistant Professor Co-Director, Pharmaceutical Policy Research Fellowship Drug Policy Research Group
and WHO Collaborating Center in Pharmaceutical Policy Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention
Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
133 Brookline Avenue, 6th Floor Boston, MA 02215 USA
Phone: +1 617 509 9956 Fax: +1 617 859 8112
E-mail: awagner@hms.harvard.edu