Effective Medication Counselling Between Pharmacists and Consumers

WPRO and the Western Pacific Pharmacy Forum are collaborating on developing and undertaking training on Effective Medication Counselling Between Pharmacists and Consumers. WPRO is funding the development of materials, field-testing and a training workshop. Activities will be carried out in the Philippines, in collaboration with the national pharmacists association, as part of a communications programme, ‘Asking Questions About Medicine’. The programme’s overall objectives are to:

• Inform consumers that by using medicines correctly they can maximize benefits and minimize risks.
• Educate consumers to see their pharmacist as a valuable resource and source of expert information.
• Empower consumers to speak to their pharmacist about their medicines.

Western Pacific develops a regional strategy for improving access to essential medicines

Responding to requests from Member States, WHO/ WPRO is in the process of developing a regional strategy for improving access to essential medicines in the region. The overall objective is to provide operational and practical guidance for Member States and for WPRO on improving access to essential medicines. The strategy development process involves wide consultations, both within WPRO and externally - with partners in essential medicines and national medicine policies, Member States and relevant experts. The strategy was discussed at an expert consultation meeting in July.

The Second Asian Course on Problem-Based Pharmacotherapy Teaching

The Second Asian Course on Problem-Based Pharmacotherapy Teaching has been organized successfully by the Department of Pharmacology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), in collaboration with WHO. Held from 6 to 15 March 2003, the course objectives were to provide pharmacology and therapeutics teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary for problem-based teaching; and to help them develop action plans to implement the problem-based methodology in their own institutions. The course was attended by 29 participants from China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It was coordinated by the Department of Pharmacology UKM, and faculty included a WHO consultant, and a number of pharmacology and clinical teachers from Malaysia.

© World Health Organization, 2003

This document is not a formal publication of the World Health Organization (WHO), and all rights are reserved by the Organization. The document may, however, be freely reviewed, abstracted, reproduced and translated, in part or in whole, but not for sale or for use in conjunction with commercial purposes.

The views expressed in documents by named authors are solely the responsibility of those authors.

Printed on paper made from pulp produced in managed softwood plantations where at least one tree is planted for every one cut down.

Printed in France