World AIDS Day 2006

1 December 2006

The theme STOP AIDS - Keep the Promise is a poignant reminder to persons living with AIDS, caregivers and health care providers that it will take more than rhetoric to achieve a meaningful decline of the disease.

The statistics remind of the numerous persons in several countries who are unable to gain access to antiretroviral agents, and who face stigma and discrimination, and are basically resigned to the future.

Pharmacists in keeping the promise are reminded to make a difference by providing adequate information to patients, becoming advocates for the improvement in access to medicines, delivering professional treatment and advice in a caring and confidential manner and forging collaborative relationships with non-governament organisations, the labour movement as well as faith based organisations to provide valuable inputs to programmes.

The Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) in keeping the promise will commemorate World AIDS Day 2006 through national efforts in member countries and by way of a multidisciplinary workshop in Kenya. A Nairobi Statement will be developed, that will take into account the factors that define a local response to this international health and development problem.

Pharmacists in the over 40 countries of the Commonwealth are committed to  Stopping AIDS and keeping the promise of excellent pharmaceutical care for all.




E. Grace Allen Young, DPharm, MRPharmS, MCPA, CPP
President
Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association