World AIDS Day - 1 December 2007 - Media release

5 November 2007

Sustainable pharmaceutical supply – an essential step towards universal access

"Despite progress made, HIV/AIDS remains one of the most confronting challenges to global health and development," stated Mr Ivan Kotzé, President of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA). Speaking during the lead-up to World AIDS Day, 1 December, Mr Kotzé said accessing sustainable antiretroviral therapy was still an impossibility for nearly 80% of the estimated 26 million people living with HIV throughout the Commonwealth.

Lack of human resources in the healthcare sector and weak pharmaceutical supply management have been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as major constraints on the capacity of national health systems to accelerate HIV/AIDS treatment and care towards the United Nations goal of "universal access by 2010".

CPA has taken a leading role in the training of healthcare workers in drug supply management since the introduction of its Distance Learning Programme in 1995. "CPA is committed to providing skills training at the periphery of pharmaceutical supply", stated Mr Kotzé. "Our revised and up-dated course The Management of Pharmaceutical Supply will enable those working at even the most remote and rural locations to access the knowledge and skills development they desperately need to better manage pharmaceutical supply in their communities," Mr Kotzé continued. "This is an essential step if the goal of HIV treatment for all those in need is to become a reality", said the CPA President.

CPA's distance learning course "The Management of Pharmaceutical Supply" is a joint collaboration with the University of Limpopo in South Africa, and is available on CD-ROM as well as a comprehensive hard copy Manual covering procurement, quality assurance, storage and distribution of pharmaceuticals and which includes specific reference to HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria medications. Enrolment is open to all those working in the healthcare sector. Further information and application forms are available on the CPA website www.commonwealthpharmacy.org or available from the CPA Secretariat.

For further information contact:

John Bell
CPA Secretariat
1 Lambeth High St
London SE1 7JN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7572 2364
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7572 2508
Email: admin@commonwealthpharmacy.org