# \[e-drug\] Re: MSH-Bill Gates Foundation Essential Medicines Franchise (cont) **URL:** \ **Category:** e-drug\ **Created:** [June 17, 2002, 5:46am UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-re-msh-bill-gates-foundation-essential-medicines-franchise-cont/14545 "2002-06-17T05:46:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bfunda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/65b543/32.png) [@bfunda](https://talk.edrugplus.org/u/bfunda)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 5:46am UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-re-msh-bill-gates-foundation-essential-medicines-franchise-cont/14545/1 "2002-06-17T05:46:26Z")
\<5FED6BE7AFAFDD49A8BF22DDE365BA3701EAEC@mainserver.echohealth.org.uk\> Sender: owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org Precedence: bulk E-drug: Re: MSH-Bill Gates Foundation Essential Medicines Franchise (cont) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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] -- To send a message to E-Drug, write to: e-drug@usa.healthnet.org To subscribe or unsubscribe, write to: majordomo@usa.healthnet.org in the body of the message type: subscribe e-drug OR unsubscribe e-drug To contact a person, send a message to: e-drug-help@usa.healthnet.org Information and archives: [http://www.healthnet.org/programs/edrug.html](http://www.healthnet.org/programs/edrug.html)