E-DRUG: Seminar on Equitable Access to Medicines for Malaysians
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Dear E-druggers
Discipline of Social & Administrative Pharmacy (DSAP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Womens Development Research Centre (KANITA), Universiti Sains Malaysia cordially invite you for a one day seminar on
Equitable Access to Medicines for Malaysians: A Way Forward through a Medicine Pricing Policy.
Time : 8.30 a.m
Venue : Bilik Latihan, Institute of Graduate Studies, USM, Penang
Background
During the last 3 years, researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia and University College Sedaya International along with the World Health Organization and Health Action International have worked systematically to investigate medicine prices, affordability and price components by employing a robust methodology. Their findings gained widespread recognition and were published on the Health Action Internationals Website: http://www.haiweb.org/medicineprices/surveys/200410MY/survey_report.pdf.
A commentary on the survey report appeared in the WHOs Essential Drug Monitor and a research article has been accepted for publication in the highly regarded medical journal PLoS Medicine. Given that these issues have serious implications for patients and consumers, the researchers decided to disseminate the findings widely through electronic and news media. In line with the National Medicine Policy (2006) objective to ensure fair, reasonable, affordable and stable prices of drugs especially essential drugs, this workshop will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to engage in an informed debate to work towards a comprehensive medicine pricing policy and to identify mechanisms which can ensure meaningful, equitable access for all Malaysians.
Objectives
The seminar has been planned with the following objectives:
- To disseminate current information regarding drug prices, affordability and availability to all stakeholders.
- To discuss selected key themes centered on drug pricing: The proposed themes are Use of Branded versus Generic Medicines, Access to Essential Medicines with Special Attention to Vulnerable Groups including People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), Womens Pharmaceutical Market.
- To gather support and momentum for further research and advocacy strategies.
- To document key messages arising from the seminar and to disseminate it to policy makers at national and international level.
Target Groups
Representatives from:
Pharmaceutical Industry
Consumer Organizations & other Public Interest Groups
Professional Organizations
Academia
Journalists
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development, Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
Seminar Programme
Chair: Associate Prof Abas Hj Hussin Co Chair: Prof Datin Rashidah Shuib & Dr Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
8.30Registration & light breakfast
9:00Welcoming Remarks by Associate Prof Abas Hj Hussin, Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, USM
9:10National Medicine Policy & the Role of the Ministry of Health in Drug Pricing
Pharmaceutical Services Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
9:30Evaluating Medicine Prices, Availability, Affordability and Price Components in Malaysia
Dr Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, USM
10:10Evidence, Access & Sustainability from a Population Health Perspective Prof Chan Chee Khoon, KANITA, USM
10:30Accessibility to Drug and Treatment from a Gender Perspective: An Issue of Equity Prof Datin Rashidah Shuib, KANITA, USM
10:50Consumer Perspective
11:10Questions and Answer Session/Discussion
12:30Lunch
Afternoon Panel: The Participants will be divided into three groups based on the selected key themes
2:00Group Discussion
4.00Presentations by groups ( Plenary Session)
4:45Conclusions & Follow-up Action
5.00 Remarks by Y.Bhg Prof Dato Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Launching of the Medicine Pricing Report ( By Y. Bhg Prof Dato Dzulkifli Abdul Razak together with Prof Dr Norfadzilah Hitam, Vice President, University College Sedaya International
About Discipline of Social & Administrative Pharmacy (DSAP)
The Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy (DSAP) is a premier disciplinary program among the school of pharmacies in Malaysia. The mission of the discipline is to serve as a catalyst to enhance the quality of professional and graduate education within the school and university; generate and communicate knowledge through innovative research to improve pharmacy services, healthcare outcomes, health/pharmaceutical policy and pharmacy education; and contribute to community well being through service in the social, administrative and educational domains.
About KANITA
The main thrust of the Womens Development Research Centre (KANITA) is to achieve excellence in the field of research on women, gender, health and development. KANITA is also committed to offering high quality graduate studies in gender studies and it has been identified as one of the Centres of Excellence in this area. It welcomes all enquiries from suitably qualified applicants into its graduate programme. http://www.usm.my/women
Organizing Committee
Associate Prof Abas Hj Hussin
Prof Datin Rashidah Shuib
Prof Chan Chee Khoon
Associate Prof Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim
Dr Zaheer-Ud-din Babar
Dr Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali
Secretariat
Dr. Zaheer-Ud-din Babar
Ms. Hasniza Mohd Hassan
Ms. Siti Shahrizatil Husna Shahrudin
Ms. Marina Abdullah
Ms. Noraza Nayan
Ms. Zaidah Aziz
The information about the following seminar can also be obtained from http://www.usm.my/women/medicine.asp
Brochure is available at:
http://www.usm.my/women/downloads/Brochure/Medicine%20Pricing%20Policy%20-%20front.pdf
http://www.usm.my/women/downloads/Brochure/Medicine%20Pricing%20Policy%20-%20back.pdf
RSVP
Please reply by 15th March to
Ms. Hasniza Mohd Hassan
Ms.hasniza@notes.usm.my; sshusna@notes.usm.my
Tel: 04-6533888 Ext: 3433/3681
Fax:04-6566379
Regards
Dr. Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
B.Pharm.(BZU), M.Sc.(Clin Pharm), Ph.D.(USM)
Lecturer
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
11800, Penang
MALAYSIA
Tel:+60-4-6533888 Ext: 2072(Direct)+60-4-6532072
Fax:+60-4-6570017
"Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar" <horizon_pharm@yahoo.com>