[e-drug] WHO/UNICEF Technical Briefing Seminar 2008 - Last reminder!!

E-DRUG: WHO/UNICEF Technical Briefing Seminar 2008 - Last reminder!!
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Reminder for E-Druggers,

There is only one month to go before applications close for the 2008
Technical Briefing Seminar that will be held in November 17 to 21st
2008. Please apply soon to avoid being disappointed,

Thanks

Richard Laing
Department of Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies
World Health Organization
CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Tel 41 22 791 4533
Fax 41 22791 4167
E-mail laingr@who.int

WHO/UNICEF Technical Briefing Seminar 2008
Geneva, 17th November to 21st November 2008

Please find below the announcement of a one-week Technical Briefing
Seminar which will be organized jointly by the Department of Medicines
Policy and Standards (PSM) and the Department of Technical
Cooperation for Essential Drugs and Traditional Medicine (TCM) of
WHO in Geneva later this year. Similar briefing seminars have been
held annually since 1998. The web site for the announcement and links
to previous seminars is at http://healthtech.who.int/tbs/.

The programme, as previously, will include updates on counterfeits,
the UN pre-qualification project, updates of the 2008 Meeting of WHO
Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations
and the 2007 Meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection
and Use of Essential Medicines, rational use of medicines, and the
implications of international trade agreements. A more specific agenda
will be made available shortly.

This year's seminar will be facilitated by Dr Helene Moller and by Dr
Richard Laing, from WHO/HQ, with input from country programme
officers and advisers.

Participation at the seminar is free of charge but participants will have
to arrange for and finance their own travel, board and lodging.

Requests for application forms can be downloaded from
http://healthtech.who.int/tbs/applicationform.doc and sent to:
Mrs. A Wilberforce, WHOEMP/MAR, 1211 Geneva
fax 41-22-7914167, or
e-mail wilberforcea@who.int

Further details are below.

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WHO/UNICEF
Technical Briefing Seminar on Essential Medicines Policies
Location: WHO/Headquarters, Geneva
Dates: 17-21 November 2008
A one-week Technical Briefing Seminar will be organized by the
Department of Medicines Policy and Standards (PSM)
and
the Department of Technical Cooperation for Essential Drugs and
Traditional Medicine (TCM)
in collaboration with UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen
Similar briefing seminars have been held annually since 1998.
Target audience
Priority is given to the following categories: technical advisers and field
staff of WHO, and of other UN and bilateral agencies, governmental
and nongovernmental organizations, active in pharmaceutical and
health sector reform programmes in developing and transitional
countries and medicines experts working in the public sector,
academic institutions, consulting and civil society organizations.
Seminar objectives
By the end of the programme participants will:
1. have a general understanding of the most common problems in the
pharmaceutical sector in developing and transitional countries; and will
have shared experiences in addressing these challenges;
2. have a general understanding of how WHO and the UNICEF Supply
Division support developing and transitional countries in strengthening
the pharmaceutical sector;
3. appreciate the importance of National Drug Policies as the best
approach to make essential medicines of good quality available to all
who need them, and ensure the rational use of medicines;
4. be aware of ways to strengthen collaboration with WHO and other
organizations supporting the pharmaceutical sector in developing and
transitional countries;
5. understand the impact of international agreements on
pharmaceuticals;
6. be aware of current issues such as pharmacovigilance, pricing
issues, traditional medicines and counterfeit medicines.

Seminar outline
Sessions will be devoted to developing National Drug Policies,
selection of essential medicines, access to essential drugs including
affordability and financing, the impact of globalization and trade
agreements, drug regulation and quality assurance, drug procurement
and supply systems, pharmacovigilance and drug safety, promoting
rational medicine use, and coordination between international
agencies. The programme includes updates on the Global Fund, the
UN pre-qualification project, the 2007 Meeting of the Expert Committee
on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines, the implications of
international trade agreements, rational use of medicines and Essential
Medicines-related information resources.

Presenters and facilitators
Sessions will be led by senior staff members of the Department of
Medicines Policy and Standards and the Department of Technical
Cooperation for Essential Drugs and Traditional Medicines, and there
will be a session by staff of UNICEF. One afternoon is available for
individual appointments with WHO staff.

The seminar will be facilitated by senior staff from WHO/PSM,
WHO/QSM/QSD and WHO/TCM.

Applications and further information
Participation at the Technical Briefing Seminar is free of charge.
Participants will be responsible for their own travel, board and lodging.

The closing date for submission of applications is 19 September 2008.

Please note that every year we receive more applications than places
available on the seminar. This has meant that a rigorous selection
procedure is in place.

Requests for more information and completed application forms
http://healthtech.who.int/tbs/applicationform.doc should be sent to:
Ms Ann Wilberforce
World Health Organization
WHO/EMP/MAR
Geneva 1211
Switzerland
Fax 41-22-7914167
E-mail wilberforcea@who.int