International RUM Course: Focus HIV, TB & Malaria IIHMR Univ, India, Jan 2015

Announcement of the International Course on Rational Use of Medicines: A Focus on HIV, TB and Malaria at IIHMR University, Jaipur, India, from January 5 to 16, 2015

BACKGROUND

Under the UN initiative for Universal Healthcare Coverage, a public healthcare system can serve at its best only with access to essential medicines. Having economical measures in place to fight major diseases is not enough to extend basic healthcare services to those who cannot afford it.

The whole effort of extending the basic healthcare service to the deprived/ underprivileged can attain highest level of success with appropriate use of resources combined with effective and efficient systems/orders

Rational use of medicines plays a vital role in healthcare systems. Essential medicines are still inaccessible for population struggling with poverty and are still fatally affected by HIV, tuberculosis and malaria; Emergence of antimicrobial resistance continues to pose a global problem in handling the management of these diseases. Access to medicines can be best ensured by proper selection and use of medicines, affordable prices for quality medicine, sustainable financing and reliable heath system.

Irrational medicine use is a public health problem worldwide. Counterfeit and substandard medicines also create an impediment in access to quality medicines; Given the number of lives being claimed each year from diseases that can be easily treated and/or prevented, there is an urgent need to put in place advanced and tangible policies that would ensure access to essential medicines.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE

The Institute of Health Management Research at IIHMR University, Jaipur has been contributing towards this very topical issue of international importance; through its flagship WHO sponsored International Courses in Promoting Rational Drug Use in Communities (PRDUC); Since 2003, 11 PRDUC programs, 3 international courses on Anti-retroviral and Related Drug Supply Chain Management in Low Resource Settings, 2 international training courses in Pharmaceutical Management in Hospitals, one each program on Rational Use of Medicines with focus on HIV, TB & Malaria,  and International Procurement of Medicines; Health Supplies have already been organized by the IIHMR.

In view of the current global focus on HIV, TB AND Malaria, a two weeks International Course on Rational Use of Medicines - A Focus on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria will be organized at IIHMR from January 5-16, 2015.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To enable participants to understand and apply the concepts and principles of rational use of medicines, essential medicines, standard treatment guidelines, national and international medicine policy environment towards ensuring access to medicines with appropriate services, practical approaches in developing effective strategies for change with an additional focus on the diseases of poverty HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

The specific objectives of the program are:
To enable participants understand and comprehend the concepts and principles of access to medicines with tools and intervention to promote rational use of medicines
To facilitate appreciation of the significance of a national and international medicine policy environment and how it affects the course of healthcare system
To provide key information and expertise towards ensuring better affordable access to medicines and healthcare services
To share strategies and conscious actions to promote rational use of medicine with focus on HIV, malaria and tuberculosis,
To expose the participants to practical approaches in developing effective strategies for change.

COURSE CONTENTS
Course consists of the following contents
Global medicines scenario and access to medicines
Problem of irrational use of medicines
Roles of different stakeholders including health workers, traditional healers, Ministry of Health, international organizations and the pharmaceutical industry
Evidence based medicine
Tools, interventions and strategies to improve medicines use
Concepts of essential medicines and Standard Treatment Guidelines, and Drugs Therapeutics Committees
Effective communication
National medicine policy, health initiatives, and treaties
Quality assurance of medicines
Pharmacotherapy Drug Concept
Basic cost-effectiveness evaluation
Safe and effective use of medicines
Medicines safety & pharmacovigilence
Monitoring medicines use
Antimicrobial resistance and approaches for containment
Rational management of HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and related treatments with reference to epidemiology, practice guidelines, patient education on treatment & adherence and monitoring
Medicine supply system including procurement and distribution
Elements of medicine costs, pricing, affordability, financing options and strategies towards universal access to medicines

TARGET GROUP

The program is meant for policy makers, management Staff from Ministries of Health, program managers of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria, NGO officials responsible for national and local programs, development aid agencies, social scientists, doctors, pharmacists and other public health professionals interested in promoting rational medicines use in HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The number of participants would be restricted to 30.

TRAINING APPROACH and LANGUAGE
The program will use a mix of lecture by resource persons to introduce the lead concept and encourage active interaction by the participants through classroom discussions, group work and presentations. The course will be conducted in English.

DURATION AND VENUE
The programme is of 2 weeks duration. The program will start at 09:00 am on Monday, 5th January 2015 and conclude in afternoon on Friday, 16th January 2015. The program is scheduled to be held at Institute of Health Management Research, IIHMR University, Jaipur.

PROGRAM FEE:
The Program Fee of US$ 1000 + 12.36% service tax per international participant covers twin-shared air-conditioned accommodation at the Institute Guest House, tuition, course materials, field visit, and airport pickup, with breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea/coffee during the program. For accommodation on single occupancy basis USD 20 per day will be charged extra.

APPLICATION:
Interested candidates may apply on CV Template which can be obtained from the Course Coordinator by sending a request email atnirmal@iihrmr.org or atmrum.iihmr@gmail.com
or by post to Indian Institute of Health Management Research,
IIHMR University, 1, Prabhu Dayal Marg, Sanganer Airport,
JAIPUR - 302 011 (India),
or by Fax at +91 141 3924738.

Completed CV Template must reach the Course Coordinator by December 8, 2014, to facilitate timely finalization of sending invitations for participation along with visa support letters.

CERTIFICATION
A certificate of participation on completion of the program will be issued by Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur.

COURSE COORDINATOR
Nirmal Gurbani, Ph.D, FIPA
Professor (Pharmaceutical Management)
Indian Institute of Health Management & Research (IIHMR)
A WHO Collaborating Center
1, Prabhu Dayal Marg, Sanganer Airport, JAIPUR 302 011 (India)
Tele: +91 141 3924700 / 2791431 Extn 715, Resi: +91 141 2634225
Fax: +91 141 3924738; Cell: +91 94145 22696
Email: atmrum.iihmr@gmail.com;, nirmal@iihmr.org
Alternative emails: nirmalgurbani@rediffmail.com