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E-drug: Re: MSH-Bill Gates Foundation Essential Medicines Franchise (cont)
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Dear all,
I wonder, in discussing this matter, if it is possible to reflect on like
projects undertaken in the past. For example:
(a) the Grameen Bank initiative in Bangladesh (www.grameen.org): personal
wealth creation at even the lowest level of society, leading an improvement
in the life a person, or a community
(b) the many cost- recovery programmes variations on the theme, initiated
for all sorts of activities in both public and private sector and community
levels (from echo- tourism; game- keeping;to activities within the health
sector); some of these activities have to led to personal wealth creation
for participants and their community.
I therefore find no dramatic shift in thinking here, and see this venture as
an extension of what has already gone before. As mentioned by others, this
yet one more approach in addressing issues of access to essential medical
products in countries where this is a problem.
My understanding of the project is that the products being being supplied
are non- prescription items, and are those that would generally be available
at a shop (ie, your OTC items). I would not expect, for example that at this
level, ARVs would be dispensed/sold, or indeed that other POMs would be
dispensed/sold without full compliance with local regulations (for example,
qualified pharmacist in place).
I get a bit confused about this term 'commodity', but in my view an
essential drug that one can find and buy over the counter at a pertol
filling station or corner shop (forgive me) is a commodity, even if subject
to a retail price mechanism controlled by government. And in terms of
training of the personnel selling these items at a filling station, I'd
suggest they receieve less than that provided on some of these public
projects in developing countries. It is my understanding that there is such
type of training on the MSH-BG franchise. project.
I take the point that any public venture such as this one under discussion,
needs to be adapated to national guidelines, regulations, etc. I would be
very surprised if this venture was not duely considered by authorities and
interested parties (such as the Pharmaceutical Society) in Kenya, before the
go- ahead was given (I wonder if Sister Eva Ombaka can comment here?).
Are we somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of wealth creation among some
members of a community? What if, in the process of getting wealthy, those
members are able to contribute (and this is it) to the improvement of the
health status of their community? Is that wrong? I hope we are not
suggesting that wealth- creation is a bad thing (I can accept it if the
argument was that this approach is not the right way of creating wealth). Is
there not a connection between a wealthy community and good health? (But I'm
sure there is a proverb somewhere to that effect).
Bonnie (Mr)
Boniface Fundafunda PhD, MBA, B.Pharm(Hon)
Marketing Manager
ECHO International Health Services Limited
Ullswater Crescent, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2HR, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8660 2220 Fax: +44 (0)20 8668 0751
Email: bfunda@echohealth.org.uk
www: echohealth.org.uk
[signature added by moderator. KM]
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