European TB Conference 2013

The highest rate of multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant (M/XDR-TB) cases of tuberculosis is found in the WHO European Region.  To emphasize the critical nature of access to anti-TB medicines in the treatment of M/XDR-TB, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)- funded Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS), implemented by Management Sciences for Health, the World Health Organization and Stop TB partners will jointly host the 1st Conference on Pharmaceutical Management for TB and M/XDR-TB for the WHO European Region. The Conference will take place in Antalya, Turkey, on 10-13 December 2013.

The objective of the Conference is to identify specific actions the Region can take, by building on the WHO/Europe "Roadmap to prevent and combat drug-resistant tuberculosis", to ensure universal access to quality TB medicines and commodities and to contain drug resistance through their appropriate use.  This is in line with the targets of the US Government’s TB programme (2009-2014) to be achieved through 4-point key interventions as well as the Global Plan to Stop TB.  In addition, participants will discuss and learn how to use modern technologies, frameworks, best practices, and new TB tools to improve access to anti-TB medicines and pharmaceutical services.