Fighting Drug-Resistant TB in the 21st Century: Novel Approaches to Improving Access to anti-TB Medicines and Pharmaceutical Services
1st Conference on Pharmaceutical Management for TB and M/XDR-TB for WHO European Region
Antalya, Turkey, 10 – 13 December, 2013
The highest rate of multi drug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant (M/XDR-TB) cases of tuberculosis is found in the WHO European Region. The Consolidated Action Plan to Prevent and Combat M/XDR-TB in the WHO European Region (2011–2015 road map) was endorsed by WHO Regional Committee for Europe. It produced six strategic directions and seven areas for intervention. Indeed, six areas under “drug management” were listed as weaknesses in the regional analysis that need prompt action. Among the ten milestones for the region, one milestone specified that by the end of 2013, all Member States would assure provision of an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured first and second-line drugs for treatment of all TB and M/XDR-TB patients. Yet, challenges abound not only for uninterrupted drug availability but also for their safe and rational use. Due to inadequate TB treatment and/or poor airborne infection control, there are greater numbers of cases that are more difficult and much more expensive to treat, with more frequent and severe adverse events.
To emphasize the critical nature of access to anti-TB medicines in the treatment of M/XDR‐TB, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)- funded Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program, implemented by Management Sciences for Health, the World Health Organization and Stop TB partners will jointly host the first WHO European Regional conference on Improving Access to anti-TB Medicines and Pharmaceutical Services to fight TB and MDR/XDR-TB.
Conference Objective and Content
The objective of the conference is to identify specific actions the region can take, by building on the WHO EURO road map, to ensure universal access to quality TB medicines and commodities and contain drug resistance through their appropriate use. This is line with the targets of the U.S. Government’s TB Program (2009-2014) to be achieved through 4-point key interventions as well as the Global Plan to Stop TB. In addition, participants will discuss and learn how to use modern technologies, frameworks, best practices, and new TB tools to improve access to anti-TB medicines and pharmaceutical services.
The conference will address the following topics—
- Regional pharmaceutical management perspective on current strengths and challenges for TB diagnosis and treatment in WHO European Region
- Impact of current and new TB diagnostic tools on strategies to ensure access to anti-TB medicines and pharmaceutical services
- Supply chain planning and performance monitoring: the potential for Early Warning Indicators
- Formulating appropriate laws and regulations to improve standards of procurement
- Regional best-practices for accessing quality-assured first and second-line TB medicines
- Harnessing the power of Management Information Systems (MIS) for planning and decision making
- Rational use of TB medicines – at the point of prescribing, administration and patient use
- Pharmacovigilance: managing adverse events for better patient health
By the end of the conference, participating countries will have identified the main pharmaceutical management challenges hindering their achievement of TB targets. Participants will develop country specific action plans through discussions and identification of tools and frameworks to address challenges to ensuring enhanced access to anti-TB medicines and pharmaceutical services. Results and recommendations from the conference will be widely disseminated through WHO, Stop TB partners, Euro region TB programs, key donors and technical partners. Recommendations from the conference are expected to help establish priorities.
Conference Design
The highly interactive, four-day conference will be designed to produce actionable results. Thematic panels with key speakers will be developed and linked to break-out discussion sessions. The final break-out group discussion session of the conference will synthesize lessons, approaches, and recommendations across the main topics. The conference will be conducted in English and Russian with simultaneous two-way interpretation. Space will be limited to 60 participants, of which 15 slots will be reserved for donors and key technical partners.
Target Audience
Staffs from the following groups, organizations, and agencies are expected to attend—
- National TB programs
- Ministries of Health (pharmacovigilance unit, drug quality assurance, procurement, etc.)
- Donors (USAID, the Global Fund, KfW, etc.)
- Regional and International Partners working in TB
- Principle recipients of the GFATM grants
Conference Location
The 1st TB Pharmaceutical Management Conference for WHO Europe Region will be held at the Rixos Downtown Antalya hotel, located in Antalya, Turkey, 10 – 13 December, 2013. Rixos Downtown Antalya is a newly renovated hotel, located on the world famous Konyaaltı Beach over the cliffs with an unsurpassed view of the Mediterranean Sea and Toros Mountains. It is a unique city hotel with well-kept spacious garden, tropical pool and resort hotel facilities.
Accommodations
The negotiated conference accommodation rate at Rixos Downtown Antalya hotel is $113 per night for a single room and includes bed and breakfast, if booked before November 25, 2013. Please contact us at EuroTB2013@msh.org if you’d like to make a reservation at the conference venue.
There are also a number of hotels located near the conference venue.
Board
The following food and drinks are included in conference registration:
- Morning and afternoon coffee breaks with a selection of cookies at Rixos Lounge
- Open buffet lunch with unlimited soft drinks at main Rixos Restaurant on the dates of the conference
Participants are free to explore dinner options on their own.
Visa Information
Please check the links below to see if you need a visa to Turkey. Please contact us at EuroTB2013@msh.org if you require a visa letter of invitation to attend.
Turkey Entry Requirements and Visa Information
Turkey Visa Application Portal
Background Travel Information
US Department of State Turkey Country Specific Information
Expenses
The conference has no registration fee. Selected participants and their supporting agencies are responsible for the cost of transportation, lodging, and other miscellaneous travel and personal expenses (visa, local transportation, etc.).
All participants are advised to have health insurance for the duration of their stay. It is the participants’ responsibility to find out if their current health insurance will cover them in the host country. Otherwise, sponsoring agencies are responsible for obtaining health insurance for their participants.
Participants are encouraged to bring along any TB resources that are relevant to the conference theme for sharing and dissemination.
Questions? EuroTB2013@msh.org
