For information and websites about the subjects discussed in this issue of Health Exchange, please take another look at the articles. You may also find these resources interesting.
Articles, reports, books, reviews and papers
Essential drugs: practical guidelines intended for physicians, pharmacists, nurses and medical auxiliaries [Manual/Handbook]
PINEL, Jacques et al, Eds, December 2009
This manual aims to provide simple, practical solutions to the questions and problems faced by medical staff involved in curative care and drug management.
The list of drugs in this edition has been revised in line with the most recent World Health Organization list of essential medicines.
http://www.refbooks.msf.org/msf_docs/en/Essential_drugs/ED_en.pdf (English)
Medicines: corruption and pharmaceuticals [Factsheet]
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO), December 2009
This fact sheet gives a brief overview of the key facts regarding corruption in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
It focuses on unethical practices in the medicines supply chain, factors contributing to pharmaceutical corruption, the impact of corruption, and the response of the WHO
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs335/en/
The role of local manufacturers in improving access to essential medicines, creating opportunities for the scale-up of local pharmaceutical production [Article]
MOHAMED, Nazeem, November 2009
Country focus: Uganda
The local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals is a hotly contested issue in many countries. It runs to the heart of key concerns such as quality, availability, and price of medicines. Some of the arguments of the local manufacturers are set out in this article by one of the co-chairs of the Medicines Transparency Alliance Uganda Council and Chairman of the Uganda Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association (UPMA)
http://www.asksource.info/pdf/37633_MeTAUganda_2009.pdf
Special issue on access to medicines, pricing and generics [Article]
September 2009
This issue has articles about medicine prices in Vietnam, Thailand and South Africa, generic medicines in Malaysia and Australia, anti-retroviral therapy in South Africa, and legislation and regulation in the retail pharmacy sector in low-income countries
http://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/sop/smr/_docs/SMR_Vol2_Issue2.pdf
A trade agreement’s impact on access to generic drugs [Article]
SHAFFER, Ellen R BRENNER, Joseph E, August 2009
Country focus: Guatemala
This article reports on a study which examined the availability of certain drugs in Guatemala and found that the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) intellectual property rules reduced access to some generic drugs already on the market and delayed the new entry of other generics. It found that some drugs protected from competition in Guatemala will become open for generic competition in the United States before generic versions will be legally available in Guatemala
http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=15791http://www.ghwatch.org/
The millennium development goals report 2009
UNITED NATIONS (UN), July 2009
This report looks at the progress that has been made towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals and also considers the impact that the economic downturn will have on achieving them by 2015
http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/Resources/Static/Products/Progress2009/MDG_Report_2009_En.pdf
WHO model list of essential medicines for children
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO), 2nd List, March 2009
This model list is intended for use for children up to the age of 12.
There is a core list of minimum medicine needs for a basic health care system, listing the most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines for priority conditions. Priority conditions are selected on the basis of current and estimated future public health relevance, and potential for safe and cost-effective treatment.
There is also a complementary list of essential medicines for priority diseases, for which specialised diagnostic or monitoring facilities, and/or specialist medical care, and/or specialist training are needed
http://www.who.int/selection_medicines/committees/expert/17/second_children_list_en.pdf
Essential medicines for mothers and children: a key element of health systems
Access to medicines and pharmaceutical policy
DE JONCHEERE, Kees, 2009
This article considers the responsibilities of public pharmaceutical policies and the need to strengthen health systems to improve access, regulation, equitable distribution, quality, affordability and sustainability of essential medicines, which are important for the health of mothers and children
http://www.euro.who.int/document/ENS/en68.pdf
Intellectual property rights and access to ARV medicines: civil society resistance in the global south, Brazil, Colombia, China, India, Thailand
REIS, Renata TERTO, Veriano Jr PIMENTA, Maria Cristina Pimenta Eds, 2009
Country focus: Brazil, Colombia, China, India, Thailand
This book looks at “…the recent history and the many struggles related to advocacy for access to [antiretroviral] medicines of engaged civil society, through the experiences of five middle-income countries – Brazil, China, Colombia, India, and Thailand.”
It presents “…the perspective of local civil society organisations about the national impact of intellectual property protection and access to medications.
“These five countries were chosen due to their accumulated experience in this field, their capacity to produce generic medication, their activist efforts, and the exchange of ideas and information that already exists between them”
http://www.abiaids.org.br/_img/media/Intellectual_Property_internet.pdf
Fight AMR: save medicines for our children: call for action
ECUMENICAL PHARMACEUTICAL NETWORK (EPN), Nov 2008
This leaflet has been produced to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance and possible areas of intervention including infection control, promoting effective diagnosis, improving prescribing practices and encouraging optimal use of antimicrobial agents.
It is targeted at all the different groups of stakeholders who are in position to contribute to implementation of the containment actions that have been defined in the WHO Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance
http://www.epnetwork.org/index.php/Download-document/65-Fight-AMR-Call-to-Action-English.html
Mapping factors that drive drug resistance (with a focus on resource-limited settings): a first step towards better informed policy
BEITH, Alexandra, July 2008
This paper characterises the drug resistance problem in developing countries. It presents an overview of the magnitude of resistance to drugs among organisms responsible for high burden diseases and then analyses key drivers of drug resistance by classifying them into three major categories to draw out commonalities in drivers across diseases.
The paper also highlights gaps in knowledge about resistance, and priority areas for further research and potential policy dialogue
http://www.cgdev.org/doc/drug%20resistance/DRWG_Characterization_Paper_16%20July.pdf
Counterfeit drugs kill
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL PRODUCTS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TASKFORCE (IMPACT) May 2008
This leaflet describes how counterfeit medicines may endanger people’s health because their quality is unpredictable. It also considers the challenges faced in combating counterfeit medicines and the role of the IMPACT coalition
http://www.who.int/impact/FinalBrochureWHA2008a.pdf
Drug resistance as a global health policy priority [Paper]
NUGENT, Rachel PICKETT, Jessica BACK, Emma, January 2008
This paper offers an introduction to drug resistance from a global policy perspective.
Drug resistance is a growing problem worldwide and is of particular concern in developing country settings. It is a major impediment to the successful treatment of HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – the three diseases prioritised for urgent action in developing countries. It also limits treatment options for serious illnesses such as pneumonia and acute diarrhoea, and for other common infections
http://www.cgdev.org/doc/ghprn/Concept%20Paper.pdf
Improving access to health care in the developing world: working together to make a difference
GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRESS, 2008
This leaflet describes the initiatives that research-based biopharmaceutical companies are working on to improve access to health care in developing countries, including the research and development of new drugs, diagnostics and vaccines for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; and working with others to improve health care systems and access to medicines
http://www.globalhealthprogress.org/pdfs/Improving%20Access%20to%20Medicines.pdf
Backgrounder and facts for launch of the United Nations report delivering on the global partnerships for achieving the millennium development goals [Paper]
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO), 2008
This paper looks at one of the targets for Millennium Development Goal-8 – that in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries will be provided – and the nine indicators proposed by WHO for measuring access to essential medicines
http://www.who.int/medicines/mdg/MDG8Backgrounder_AccesstoMeds.pdf
Global health watch 2: an alternative world health report
PEOPLE’S HEALTH MOVEMENT MEDACT GLOBAL EQUITY GAUGE ALLIANCE, 2008This second edition of Global Health Watch covers a comprehensive range of topics, including access to medicines, mental health, water and sanitation, nutrition, and war and conflict. It also draws attention to the politics of global health and the policies and actions of key actors
http://www.ghwatch.org/ghw2/ghw2pdf/ghw2.pdf
Human rights guidelines for pharmaceutical companies in relation to access to medicines
HUNT, Paul. September 2007
These draft guidelines consider human rights and the right to the highest attainable standard of health; how to manage their implementation; public policy influence; advocacy and lobbying; research and development for neglected diseases; patents and licensing; quality and technology transfer; pricing, discounting and donations; ethical promotion and marketing; clinical trials; public private partnership; corruption; associations of pharmaceutical companies; and monitoring and accountability
http://www2.essex.ac.uk/human_rights_centre/rth/docs/PH%20draft%20guidelines%2019%20sept%202007.doc
Health and the MDGs: the challenges ahead
CHAN, Margaret, 2007
Although there has been much progress towards meeting the three of the eight Millennium Development Goals relating to health, there are still considerable inequalities to be overcome if they are to be met by 2015. The Director General of the World Health Organization sees the need to improve access to essential medicines as one of major challenges
http://www.who.int/pmnch/topics/mdgs/2008unchronicle_mchan.pdf
Prescription for healthy development: increasing access to medicines
LEACH, Beryl PALUZZI, Joan E MUNDERI, Paula, 2005
This resource highlights the importance of increasing the availability, affordability, and appropriate use of medicines in developing countries. Produced by the Working Group on Access to Essential Medicines or the Taskforce on AIDS, Malaria and TB and Access to Essential Medicines it offers concrete and practical steps to increase incentives for research for priority diseases of developing countries, improve procurement and distribution, strengthen primary health systems, develop more human resources, and increase health funding
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/TF5-medicines-Complete.pdf
The concept of essential medicines: lessons for rich countries
HOGERZEIL, Hans V, 2004
This article advocates that rich countries should follow the lead of poor countries and adopt a more systematic way of controlling the cost of drugs by careful selection, evidence based national clinical guidelines and a national medicines policy that balances conflicting policy objectives.
It is written by the World Health Organization’s Director of Medicines Policy and Standards
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/329/7475/1169
Promoting rational use of medicines: core components [Leaflet/Booklet]
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO), September 2002
This leaflet defines rational drug use and identifies core policies which would help promote a more rational use of medicines
http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/policyperspectives/ppm05en.pdf
The selection of essential medicines [Leaflet/Booklet]
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO), June 2002
Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population. This leaflet looks at the policy and relevance of the concept of essential medicines, how they can be selected, and how to implement a national list of essential medicines
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/WHO_EDM_2002.2.pdf
How to develop and implement a national drug policy [Monograph]
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 2001
In this new edition guidelines are given on developing a national drug policy – a crucial ingredient in every country’s national health strategy and an invaluable framework to identify national goals and commitments. This expanded and extensively revised second edition discusses key policy components. These include the selection of essential drugs, affordability, finance and supply, regulation and quality assurance, rational use, research, human resources, monitoring and evaluation. Each chapter presents useful advice and references to other sources of more detailed technical information. A valuable resource for health professionals, policy-makers and researchers, the publication takes readers through the process of planning, developing, implementing and monitoring a comprehensive policy framework based on a country’s unique needs, priorities and resources
http://www.who.int/medicines/library/par/ndp_english.pdf
WHO global strategy for containment of antimicrobial resistance [Report]
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO), 2001
This strategy provides a framework of interventions to stimulate the prevention of infection, to slow the emergence of resistance and to reduce the spread of resistant microorganisms, in order to reduce the impact of resistance on health and health care costs, while improving access to existing agents and encouraging the development of new agents
http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/drugresist/en/EGlobal_Strat.pdf
Newsletters
Essential medicines monitor
This publication is a re-launch of the World Health Organization’s Essential Drugs Monitor. It offers on international perspective to medicines issues, focusing on developing and transitional countries. It aims to stimulate discussion and share news and experiences on core areas of work.
In its new format the Monitor will be produced 10 times a year as an electronic newsletter. For readers with limited Internet access, individual articles will be available on request and a compilation of articles will be printed and distributed approximately every two years
http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/monitor/en/index.html
Manual
Developing pharmacy practice: a focus on patient care
WLEDENMAYER, Karin et al, 2006
This handbook outlines the role of pharmacists in the context of greater availability of a complex range of medicines and suggests good pharmacy practices. Effective pharmaceutical care entails a patient-centred approach that should encourage adherence to prescribed medicines, through a close relationship between patient and pharmacist and follow-up on health outcomes. ‘Adherence to long-term therapy for chronic conditions in developed countries averages 50%, with even lower rates for developing countries’. The handbook looks at pharmacists and patient care both from a policy and from a practical perspective
http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/WHO_PSM_PAR_2006.5.pdf
Websites
AIDS medicines and diagnostics services (AMDS)
The AMDS is the secretariat of a network for supply management of HIV commodities and brokers cooperation between technical partners, funding agencies, manufacturing companies and other organisations.
AMDS also operates a clearing house collecting and disseminating strategic information through Global price reporting mechanism, Drug regulatory data database, and ARV forecast integrated in this website or through a dedicated website for procurement and supply management (PSM Tools)
http://www.who.int/hiv/amds/en/
The WHO essential medicines library
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
This web-based information service provides access to the latest editions of ‘WHO Model List of Essential Medicines’, ‘Disease/Indication information’ and ‘WHO Model Formulary’
http://healthtech.who.int/EMLIB/
Essential medicines
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
This section of the WHO website provides resources, information and links relating to essential medicines. Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population. They are selected with due regard to public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness; and are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, and at a price the individual and the community can afford
http://www.who.int/topics/essential_medicines/en/
Web-databases
GDF drugs, diagnostics and other TB supplies
GLOBAL DRUG FACILITY (GDF)
This catalogue lists first-line anti-TB drugs, TB diagnostics equipment and other products currently supplied by the Global Drug Facility (GDF). GDF is a mechanism to expand access to, and availability of, high-quality anti-TB drugs and diagnostics to facilitate global DOTS expansion or maintenance to support the Stop TB Strategy
http://www.stoptb.org/gdf/drugsupply/drugs_available.asp
Malaria drug database: the most comprehensive malaria drug database online
This database lists anti-malarial medicines alphabetically by brand/marketing name. For each drug listed there is a photograph and details about its manufacture. Packaging and strength/dosing information is listed and WHO pre-qualification status is provided
http://www.actwatch.info/resources/drugs_home.asp
Discussion forum
Essentialdrugs.org
This is the English language discussion group of essentialdrugs.org. Its objective is to support the concept of essential drugs by improving and speeding up communications among all health professionals working in the field of essential drugs. Discussions focus on topics such as rational use of drugs, drug policy, economics and financing, supply and marketing, legislation and regulation, quality assurance and safety, and training. E-drug is specifically targeted to health workers in developing countries, and is based on simple off-line e-mail technology.
The site also has links to French, Spanish and Russian language discussion groups – E-MED, E-FARMACOS and E-LEK respectively, and to INDIA-DRUG, a national e-mail discussion group to foster rational use of drugs
http://www.essentialdrugs.org
Audio
Thailand’s experience with compulsory licensing [Audio]
MSF CAMPAIGN FOR ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MEDICINES, 2009
Country focus: Thailand
In this recording Dr Suwit Wibulpolprasert of the Thai Ministry of Public Health talks about Thailand’s experience when it issued compulsory licenses for two antiretroviral medicines in order to be able to treat more patients. Despite being put on a ‘trade black list’ by the US Government, the move was a success in public health terms, enabling the Thai Government to purchase more medicines and dramatically increase the availability of treatment for people living with AIDS
http://www.msfaccess.org/main/access-patents/audio-thailand-s-experience-with-compulsory-licensing/
Video
Life-saving HIV treatment: three problems, one solution [Video]
UNITAID, 2009
This animation gives a clear explanation of the benefits of creating a patent pool for HIV medicines. Such a pool would enable drug licence holders to receive a fee while also enabling patents to be accessed by researchers, working on the development of new medicines, and generic manufacturers, which could potentially make newer medicines more affordable to people living in developing countries
http://www.unitaid.eu/en/Patent-pool-resources.html [English]
Compiled by Deepthi Wickremasinghe, co-ordinator SOURCE International Information Support Centre www.asksource.info
Source is designed to meet the information needs of individuals and organisations working in health, disability and development worldwide. These include health workers, researchers and students, nongovernmental and governmental organisations, and disabled people’s organisations. With both a resource centre, based in London, and electronic databases, this is a unique collection of around 25,000 health and disability information resources. These include books, journals, manuals, report, posters, CD-ROMs, websites and organisations. Many materials are from developing countries and include both published and unpublished literature not readily available elsewhere in the UK.
Filed under: Access to medicine
