Africa Malaria Day

25 April 2006

‘Pharmacists play a vital role in the delivery of medicines to patients’ says Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) President Dr. Grace Allen Young.

With the theme of Africa Malaria Day 2006 focussing on the availability of artemisinin-based combination therapies to treat the disease and the importance of universal access, Dr. Allen Young said that ‘pharmacists are expected to provide support to patients by assisting them to understand the importance of the proper use and storage of medicines as well as any side effects to be anticipated.’

The sixth anniversary of the Abuja Declaration reminds communities, policy makers, and health professionals of the importance of the prevention and treatment of malaria. As many as 1.1 million are reported to die every year, many of whom are children.

The Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) is encouraging its member associations in Africa to participate in programmes aimed at improving access to treatment. In support of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership CPA has collaborated in past years with other international pharmacy organisations and WHO to undertake consumer awareness projects in Ghana, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The projects were designed to promote prevention methods and early treatment. Pharmacists are therefore committed to ACT as far as their country’s resources permit.

Members throughout Africa have been provided with materials from CPA to mark Africa Malaria Day, 25 April 2006.

For further information contact:
CPA Secretariat
admin@commonwealthpharmacy.org