Urgent Call to European Parliament: Protect Access to Medicines

 In a compelling joint appeal, 12 leading public health organizations across five European Union member states are urgently calling upon prospective Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to prioritize and ensure access to affordable medicines for all EU citizens.

The timing of this call is critical, with the upcoming European Parliament elections slated for June 6 to 9, 2024. These organizations are urging both re-elected and new MEPs to champion measures that will counter the rising challenges associated with the accessibility and affordability of medical products within the EU.

The crux of the issue lies in the escalating costs of new medicines, rendering them financially out of reach for many patients—either due to high out-of-pocket expenses or the burden placed on national health budgets when reimbursed. The current landscape favors pharmaceutical companies, granting them monopoly rights and allowing exorbitant pricing practices even for medicines developed with public funding.

Two Dutch health organizations, Wemos and Health Action International (HAI), spearheaded this clarion call. Aliénor Devalière of Wemos stressed the imperative nature of this unified demand: "Future MEPs must prioritize patient interests over the pervasive influence of the pharmaceutical lobby."

Jaume Vidal from HAI emphasized the critical juncture Europe faces regarding access to medicines, underscoring recent debates on pharmaceutical legislation and medicine shortages that underscore the pivotal role of the European Parliament.

The appeal underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability within the pharmaceutical sector. Signatories contend that the current framework favors profit motives over public health imperatives, particularly considering the pivotal role of public funding in medical research and development.

The joint call implores the next European Parliament to recalibrate this power imbalance, advocating for measures that ensure fair pricing and transparency in pharmaceutical dealings. MEPs are urged to enforce policies that promote transparency in medicine pricing and attach conditions to public funding for research and development to ensure equitable returns on public investments.

Among the signatories are prominent organizations including HAI, Wemos, Salud por Derecho, Asociación Acceso Justo al Medicamento, and Access to Medicines Ireland, among others, representing a diverse coalition united in the pursuit of equitable healthcare access.

The next European Parliament must heed this urgent call from public health advocates, acting decisively to safeguard the fundamental right to affordable healthcare for all citizens. The ball is now in the court of MEPs to champion meaningful reforms that prioritize patient well-being over profit-driven motives within the pharmaceutical industry.

This issue is poised to shape the health landscape of Europe for years to come, making it incumbent upon elected officials to rise to the occasion and enact change that truly benefits the public they serve. The future of affordable healthcare in Europe hangs in the balance, awaiting decisive action from those entrusted with this critical mandate.

Revolutionary Livestock Health Initiative Launched in Kenya

 Cape Town, South Africa - The congress marks a groundbreaking step towards transforming livestock farming and veterinary care worldwide. Announced at the 39th annual World Veterinary Association Congress in Cape Town, the "Connected Care" Technology Program promises to revolutionize the global food supply chain's safety, security, and resilience.

In an unprecedented collaboration, VetNOW and the Global Alliance for Livestock Medicines (GALVmed) have joined forces, backed by major grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

This innovative platform aims to strengthen connections and support between livestock farmers, veterinarians, and veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs), beginning with rural communities in Kenya. By providing vital resources on disease prevention, animal care, record-keeping, and regulatory compliance, the program seeks to empower farmers and enhance livestock health.

In a media statement issued by Senior Communications Manager, Beatrice Ouma, it states that the first phase of implementation is scheduled to launch in Kenya in August 2024, paving the way for a comprehensive rollout across Africa.

GALVmed, a UK-based non-profit, is committed to developing impactful livestock health solutions, while VetNOW, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), specializes in digital health technology for global veterinary care.

To accelerate adoption and knowledge-sharing, VetNOW has partnered with the Africa Veterinary Technicians Association (AVTA) and the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS). AVTA, with over 130,000 members across 18 African countries, including 11,000 in Kenya, focuses on improving VPP practices. NADIS brings decades of expertise in disease surveillance and animal health knowledge transfer.

Dr. Apryle Horbal, founder and CEO of VetNOW, expressed excitement about the program's potential: "Empowering farmers, vets, and VPPs with accessible technology is our mission. Partnering with GALVmed, AVTA, and NADIS allows us to make meaningful strides towards a safer and more sustainable food supply."

With only 2,000 veterinary surgeons and 12,000 VPPs serving over 7 million livestock farmers in Kenya, the need for improved livestock care is urgent.

Enrique Hernández Pando, GALVmed’s Head of Commercial Development & Impact, emphasized the significance of the partnership: "This collaboration will greatly accelerate GALVmed's mission to enhance livestock health access for small-scale producers."

This transformative initiative promises to reshape livestock health management and secure food supply chains for a healthier, more sustainable future.

there is a lot of poor planning of cities in the country

 CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone

Southern Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa says wherever they are unplanned structures in cities and districts, it is difficult for the government to put water and also ensure that the people have access to a road network.
Mr Nanjuwa said this when Zambia Law Development Commission, commissioner Chipo Nkanta paid a courtesy call on him in Livingstone.
He said it is very difficult development to happen in the cities as well as other districts when there are a lot of unplanned structures.

Mr Nanjuwa said province and district believe that planning is important to national development.

He said they are small district which are just starting up which need to ensure that they adhere to the aspect of effective urban and city planning.

Mr Nanjuwa said it is there important to ensure that the province, district administrations as well as local authorities are involved in the planning of their cities and districts.

He said the challenges of unplanned settlements in Lusaka they are all over and other districts and cities have not been spared.
Mr Nanjuwa said there is a lot of poor planning of cities in the country and he is hopeful that things can change for the better.

He said government wants to see to it that the people begin to plan the property well.

Mr Nanjuwa called on the Zambia Law Development Commission to ensure that it interacts with the people at the grass root so that progress can be achieved.

He said effective planning in the country can contribute to having sustainable cities.

"We are grateful that this meeting has been escalated to Livingstone in southern province.

We are happy to see that you are extending doors to other parts of the country such southern province.
People of Southern province are grateful for the gesture of moving your meeting to here," Mr Nanjuwa said.

He said stakeholders in the district want to actively contribute to  the meeting with them.

And Ms Nkanta said the mandate of the commission is to review and reforms laws in the country.

She said the commission will always ensure that there is wide public consultation over laws before they are put in place.

Ms Nkanta said the commission consults the people through the holding of  legal seminars so that they try to get as many Zambian’s views as possible.  

“There is a notion that law is just for lawyers but legal conservations are not just for lawyers,” she said.

Ms Nkanta said the commission last year started review in Lusaka on urban cities.

“You will see more that we are focusing on urban laws, sustainability of planning cities for the next generations,” she said.

Ms Nkanta said the mushrooming of building in the cities it is not only exclusive or unique for Lusaka.
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(DEBS) denies sidelining journalists in Livingstone

 CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone   

Livingstone District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Charles Miyoba has explained that it does not sideline journalists in terms of sharing information on developments in the education sector.

Mr Miyoba said the DEBS office is a public office and journalists are free to engage it for any information that they need in the education sector.

Speaking on his behalf was Livingstone Standards officer for Open Distance Learning, Jeffa Malawo during a training for media practitioners which was hosted by Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) under the theme, the role of the media in the promotion of academic freedom and equality education for everyone through reporting.

“The DEBS office has taken note of the concerns which they have been raised by the journalists that they do not have access and enough feedback from the DEBS office whenever they have press query,” Mr Miyoba said.

He said giving quality education to the learners is the goal of the ministry and without the support of the media the public cannot know what is happening in their communities.

 Mr Miyoba said there is need to promote the silent policies of the ministry which are making positive impact in the lives of people as the media can help change societies.

“Without the media the people might know that they are 24 literacy centres which opened in their communities where they can learn to read and write. They are also evening classes and special education schools,” Mr Miyoba said.

He said it is for this reason that education should not be a preserve of a few individuals in the communities.   

Mr Miyoba paid tribute to ZANEC’s initiative to train the media so that they can appreciate aspect of academic freedom.

“I am confident that the media will continue to give the people the right information as academic freedom is a human right and it is under threat and therefore the need to use the media to highlight freedom,” he said.

And Journalists from all the media institutions expressed concerns that they were not getting timely responses from the DEBS office on press queries or interviews.

And ZANEC networking and information coordinator Precious Mungambata said the journalist taken keen interest in ZANEC media wards.

Ms Mungambata said it is unfortunate that some of the journalists do not present quality work for submission for the wards.

 She said it is shocking that some simply present commemorations or event based articles, whereby they do not show any innovation.

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