The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70816

Atiya Ali, International Philanthropy, Pfizer Inc., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, 212 733 5181, atiya.ali@pfizer.com

Fostering public-private partnerships is crucial to preventing and treating the world’s most devastating diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Pharmaceutical companies have come under increasing pressure to mitigate the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Often, activists and the industry have disagreed about the mechanism for providing patented medicines in developing countries. This session will offer a treatment model for donating medicines that couples the provision of free medicine with healthcare training, education and capacity building.

Through this treatment program, an anti-fungal is provided to governments and non-governmental organizations in developing countries most affected by HIV/AIDS. The drug is used for the treatment of two serious AIDS-related fungal opportunistic infections, cryptococcal meningitis and esophageal candidiasis. In addition to the provision of free medicine, the program also includes the training of health care professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of fungal opportunistic infections.

At this session, participants will review a sustainable public-private partnership in South Africa that demonstrates the efficacy of product donations in serving as an effective response to AIDS if it is coupled with local efforts to build drug distribution and professional health care capacity to treat patients. Participants will also discuss lessons learned in providing medicine in resource-poor settings. As a result of this session, participants will gain an understanding of current challenges and opportunities faced in developing comprehensive drug donation initiatives to be of lasting value and impact.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in the session will be able to:
• Describe a sustainable public-private partnership in South Africa that demonstrates the efficacy of product donations in serving as an effective response to AIDS if it is coupled with local efforts to build local capacity.
• Discuss lessons learned in providing medicine in resource-poor settings.
• Evaluate current challenges and opportunities faced in developing comprehensive drug donation initiatives to be of lasting value and impact.

Keywords: Public/Private Partnerships, Community Capacity

Related Web page: www.diflucanpartnership.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Pfizer Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employed by Pfizer Inc.