IAPO Seminar in Manilla Raises Awareness of Unsafe Medications

The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) conducted a seminar to build better understanding of patients needs in Pacific-Asia including the risks of counterfeit medications.

“Patients should be the local leaders of a whole of society approach to tackling the pressing healthcare challenges of today,” announced IAPO at the seminar in Manilla, Philippines.

The IAPO Seminar addressed to major healthcare challenges in the Pacific-Asia region: non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and patient safety. Both issues pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of patients. 60 people die every minute from an NCD worldwide, with 2.5 million deaths a year in South-East Asia alone. WHO estimates that people living in South-East Asia receive more than 5 injections per year and 50% of the injections are “unsafe.”

Working with the World Health Organization and the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, patient group representatives discussed the need for developing healthcare knowledge, and cross-sector education, as well as improving quality healthcare services and treatments.

Come here more from IAPO and Jeremiah Mwangi, Policy and external Affairs Director, when he speaks on the Role of Patients and Healthcare Professionals panel at the 2011 Interchange on October 27 at the National Press Club.