Title: PHARMACEUTICALS AS A GLOBAL ISSUE - INTEREST/WORKING GROUP
Author:
Section/SPIG: International Health
Issue Date:
APHA members in the IH Section are forming a “Interest/Working Group on Pharmaceuticals as a Global Issue.” All IH members are welcome, and a few have already signed up. New HIV/AIDS drugs have thrown a spotlight on the conflict between health as a human right and industry as an economic engine. While this debate is headline news, less dramatic issues are symptomatic of the chronic problems that plague pharmaceutical supply globally. Profit incentives trump public health priorities too often, from investment in research and development to promotion of the latest patented drug over affordably priced generics.
Our Interest/Working Group on Pharmaceuticals as a Global Issue will consider the growing gap in access to essential drugs, the impact of inadequate supply on the whole health delivery system, the temptation for graft and corruption in pharmaceutical supply, the need for regulation, financing issues, irrational prescribing, and the need for improving patient compliance with treatment regimes.
If you are interested, send your contact information and ideas about the kinds of activities and exchanges you would like to see us undertake to Maggie Huff-Rousselle.