Handbook on Access to HIV/AIDS-Related Treatment : a Collection of Information, Tools and Resources for NGOs, CBOs and PLWHA Groups: Chapter 3: Putting treatment into practice: 3.4 Providing drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS: 3.4.B Drug information

Handbook on Access to HIV/AIDS-Related Treatment : a Collection of Information, Tools and Resources for NGOs, CBOs and PLWHA Groups
(2003; 130 pages) [French]

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
Acronyms
Introduction: Read this first!
	1. What is this handbook?
	2. Why was this handbook developed?
	3. How was this handbook developed?
	4. Who is this handbook for?
	5. How can this handbook be used?
	6. What is in the chapters of this handbook?
	7. What materials are needed to use this handbook?
	8. Who developed this handbook?
	9. Further sources of information
	Example of workshop schedule
Chapter 1: First questions to ask
	1.1 Care, support and treatment
		1.1.A Care and support
		1.1.B Treatment
	1.2 Linking treatment and prevention
	1.3 Access to treatment
		1.3.A Availability of treatment
		1.3.B Accessibility of treatment
	Information Sheet 1: Barriers to access to treatment
	Information Sheet 2: Factors affecting access to treatment
	1.4 Further sources of information
Chapter 2: Foundations of treatment
	2.1 The basic elements of treatment work
		2.1.A Supportive relationships for treatment work
		2.1.B Knowledge, skills and attitudes for treatment work
		2.1.C An ethical approach to treatment work
		2.1.D Information for treatment work
	2.2 How different treatments vary
	2.3 Working with others to improve access to treatment
		2.3.A Partnerships to improve access to treatment
		2.3.B Advocacy to improve access to treatment
	Treatment Information Sheet
	Treatment Assessment Sheet
	2.4 Further sources of information
Chapter 3: Putting treatment into practice
	3.1 Resources for HIV/AIDS-related treatment work
	3.2 Drugs for HIV/AIDS-related treatment
		3.2.A Managing HIV/AIDS-related drugs
		3.2.B The essential medicines concept
		3.2.C Guidelines for treatment
		3.2.D Choosing the right drugs
		3.2.E Drug names
		3.2.F Using drugs effectively
		3.2.G Fact sheet - antiretrovirals
	3.3 Sourcing and looking after good-quality drugs
		3.3.A Drug quality
		3.3.B Sources of drugs
		3.3.C Storing drugs
		3.3.D Keeping records and ordering drugs
	3.4 Providing drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS
		3.4.A Paying for HIV/AIDS-related treatment
		3.4.B Drug information
		3.4.C Dispensing drugs
		3.4.D Managing transport for HIV/AIDS-related treatment
	3.5 Training and management for treatment work
	3.6 Further sources of information
Chapter 4: Assessing needs and resources, and deciding what to do
	4.1 The assessment process
	4.2 Assessment frameworks
		4.2.A Assessing needs and resources - people living with HIV/AIDS and the community
		4.2.B Assessing needs and resources - the local environment
		4.2.C Assessing needs and resources - your NGO/CBO/PLWHA group
	4.3 Deciding what to do
		4.3.A Analysing your findings
		4.3.B Reaching a decision
		4.3.C Communicating your decision
	Information Sheet 3: Thinking creatively about what your group can do - treatment in context
	4.4 Further sources of information
Chapter 5: Learning from and improving HIV/AIDS-related treatment work
	5.1 Monitoring and evaluating HIV/AIDS-related treatment work
		5.1.A Keeping records of your work
		5.1.B Monitoring your work
		5.1.C Evaluating your work
	5.2 Changing and improving HIV/AIDS-related treatment work
		5.2.A Making the most of new resources and linkages
		5.2.B Coping with changes
		5.2.C Sharing your experiences with others
		5.2.D Scaling up, scaling down or staying the same
	5.3 Further sources of information
	Organizations that contributed to the development of this handbook
Back cover

3.4.B Drug information

NGOs/CBOs need drug-related information that is objective, accurate and in simple language. The best information about treatment comes from people who can understand technical facts, but can communicate them to others in a clear way, as this helps people to understand and to make informed decisions about drugs.

Good information about a drug should include:

Effects of the drug	Warnings
• Which symptoms will disappear or diminish, and when? • How important is it to take the drug? • What happens if the drug is not taken?	• What should you not do? For example, if the drug can make you sleepy, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. • What is the maximum dose? For example, some drugs are poisonous if you take too much of them. • Is it important to continue the treatment - for example, for anti- infective drugs (such as antibiotics and antifungals), drugs for long-term conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease) and antiretrovirals?
Side-effects	Getting further help
• What unwanted side-effects might occur? • How can people recognize side- effects? • How long will side-effects last? • How serious are the side-effects? • What should be done if side-effects happen?	• When should you go back to the person who prescribed the drug? • When should you go back for help earlier than arranged? For example, this might be necessary if the condition worsens/does not get better, or if there are bad side- effects. • What should you do with leftover drugs? For example, how should you dispose of them safely?
Instructions
• When should the drug be taken? • What quantity of the drug should be taken? • How should the drug be taken? • How should the drug be stored? • How long should the treatment be continued? • What should be done in case of problems?

It is important not to rely on advertising material for information about a drug as it aims to persuade people to use the drug and often does not include everything that you need to know. This is especially the case in relation to side-effects or alternatives that might cost less.