Stop Stock-outs

Calling for the elimination of medicine stock-outs in public health facilities

One-third of the world population cannot regularly access the essential medicines they need. The most affected are populations in Africa, where availability and price are the biggest barriers to access. At any time, public health facilities in Africa have in stock only about half of a core set of essential medicines. These are medicines used to treat common diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, HIV, TB, diabetes and hypertension; all of which are among the highest causes of death in Africa.

Access to essential medicines is a human right and a cornerstone of an effective primary health care system. Access to free or affordable essential medicines determines whether people live or die, suffer pain and discomfort or have their ailments cured, recover from illness or endure life long disease. Thirty years since the introduction of the above essential medicines definition, there are still simply not enough medicines in public health facilities throughout Africa. Such “stock-outs” are worst in rural areas and poor people are the most affected.

Health Action International (HAI) Africa and Oxfam, in collaboration with Consumer Information Network (CIN), Kenya Access Treatment Movement (KETAM), Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA), and the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN), will host a continental and national (Kenya) launch of campaign titled “Stop Stock-outs” on Thursday 26 February 2009 at the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

The campaign is a call to action for African governments to meet their obligations to provide essential medicines to our people by increasing the national budgetary allocation for the purchase of these medicines and by ensuring efficiency and transparency in the procurement, supply, and distribution of medicines.

The campaign will run in five African countries: Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Uganda, and Zambia. The country launches for Malawi, Madagascar, Uganda and Zambia will take place in March 2009; the dates and full calendar of campaign activities will be released shortly. For information on how to support or participate in “Stop Stock-outs” activities in any of the five campaign countries please contact us at: info@stopstockouts.org

Campaign Partners
Kenya:
KETAM (Kenya Access Treatment Movement)
KEPHCA (Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association)
EPN (Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network)
CIN-Kenya (Consumer Information Network – Kenya)

Malawi
MHEN (Malawi Health Equity Network)

Madagascar
SISAL (Sambatra Izay Salama)

Uganda
HEPS ( Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development)
NAFOPHANU (National Forum of PLHA Networks in Uganda)
AGHA (Action Group for Health Human Rights and HIV/AIDS)

Zambia
TALC (Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign)
NZP+ (Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS)

Regional/International
OXFAM
HAI Africa (Health Action International Africa)
OSI (Open Society Institute)

Kenya – Public Forum, 25 Feb 2009

Venue: Panafric Hotel
Time: 4.00 pm – 6.00pm
Program: Personal testimonies from 2 consumers, short presentations from civil society representatives, open plenary discussion.
Subject: the low availability fo medicines in government health facilities; the on-going stock-out situation; the costs of medicines are not affordable for Kenyans

Campaign Launch Press Conference

Venue: Panafric Hotel, Nairobi
Time: 9.30am to 12 pm
Subject: Launch of the continental and Kenya campaign to “Stop Stock-outs”