Access to essential medicines

IDPC Briefing Paper – Cannabis in Mexico: an open debate

In August 2010, before a meeting of academics and representatives of civil society organisations, Mexican President Felipe Calderón declared that the legalisation of illicit drugs could contribute to reducing the power held by organised crime. He quickly added, however, that this was not an option that would be considered by his own administration.

The recent declaration by Mexican president Felipe Calderón on cannabis legalisation has sparked new discussions on illicit drugs in the country. However, the drugs debate is not a new topic for the Mexican political agenda. This document presents a general overview and analysis of the cannabis debate in Mexico.
Added on 25 August 2010

IDPC Advocacy Note - Some initial high priorities for Mr. Fedotov, the new Executive Director of UNODC

On 9th July 2010, the United Nations Secretary General appointed Russian Ambassador Yuri Viktorovich Fedotov as the next Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). In welcoming Mr. Fedotov, IDPC outlines in this Advocacy Note the critical challenges that he will face as he takes up office.

On 9 July 2010, the UN Secretary General appointed Russian Ambassador Yuri V. Fedotov as the next Executive Director of UNODC. In welcoming Mr. Fedorov, IDPC outlines in this advocacy note the critical challenges that he will face as he takes up office, and proposes key recommendations.
Added on 25 August 2010

'The pharmacological rationale for methadone treatment of narcotic addiction' now available in 5 languages

In an effort to make drug policy materials available in various languages, the Global Drug Policy Program of the Open Society Institute has published yet another document in five different languages. in Chinese, Farsi, French and Russian.

The document "The pharmacological rationale for methadone treatment of narcotic addiction", which presents the pharmacological principles applying to narcotics, is now available in Chinese, English, Fahsi, French and Russian.
Added on 24 August 2010

The Vienna Declaration – Sign up now!

The Vienna Declaration is the official declaration of AIDS 2010. The Declaration calls for drug policies that are based on scientific evidence rather than ideology. More specifically, the Declaration calls for the decriminalisation of drug use and the meaningful involvement of affected communities in developing policies and programmes.

The Vienna Declaration is the official declaration of AIDS 2010 and calls for drug policies that are based on scientific evidence rather than ideology. It calls for the decriminalisation of drug use and the meaningful involvement of affected communities in developing policies and programmes. As of today, over 16,000 have signed the Declaration.
Added on 29 July 2010

Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe - A new campaign for substitution therapy

Better World Advertising recently launched a new campaign on international harm reduction.

This campaign focuses on spreading awareness to both reform harm reduction policies around the world and reduce the stigma surrounding drug substitution therapy. The campaign features two superheroes, Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe, who work together to help injecting drug users in distress and promote substitution therapy on a global scale.
Added on 27 July 2010

Italian court rules that Local Health Authorities must provide marijuana for free for medical purposes

In Italy, Mr. Marco Di Paolo, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from the town of Sulmona, went to court to have access to medical marijuana under the National Health System scheme. The judge has ruled that the Local Health Authority is obliged to provide marijuana for medical purposes under certain circumstances (a medical prescription of cannabis based drugs that are to be administered in a day hospital).

Mr. Marco Di Paolo, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from the town of Sulmona, went to court to have access to medical marijuana. The judge ruled that, under certain circumstances, the Local Health Authority is obliged to provide marijuana for medical purposes.
Added on 24 June 2010

AIDS 2010: "Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe"

18/07/2010 - 23/07/2010
Vienna, Austria

You may remember Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe from their debut during the Mexico City AIDS Conference. They'll be back this year in Vienna!

The Open Society Institute's International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD) developed Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe to help raise awareness about the glaring lack of access to these lifesaving drugs.

AIDS 2010: “HIV risks and the compulsory centers for drug users”

21/07/2010
Vienna, Austria

AIDS 2010: International Harm Reduction Development Programme Satellite and Skills-building Sessions

18:30-20:30, Session Room 8

Compulsory centres for drug users are plagued with high relapse rates and high financial and human costs that burden the State, the overall community and drug users and their families alike. The approach creates a dangerous ‘revolving door’ for drug users, and is an obstacle to achieving Universal Access.

Lowering the Threshold: Models of Accessible Methadone and Buprenorphine Treatment

This new report from the Open Society Institute documents low-threshold methadone and buprenorphine programs—that is, programs that seek, in the spirit of harm reduction, to meet patients “where they’re at” and minimize bureaucratic requirements.

This new report from the Open Society Institute documents low-threshold methadone and buprenorphine programs—that is, programs that seek, in the spirit of harm reduction, to meet patients “where they’re at” and minimize bureaucratic requirements.
Added on 20 April 2010

Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network News Release - Campaign for 'universal access' to medicines goes global

The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network is joining a global movement of legal and trade experts, activists and students, grandmothers' groups and labour organisations. They are calling on the Canadian government to use its current leadership position to ensure greater access to medicines for AIDS and other public health needs in developing countries, notably by passing Bill C-393, which proposes to streamline Canada's Access to Medicines Regime.

The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network is joining a global movement of legal and trade experts, activists and students, grandmothers' groups and labour organisations, calling on the Canadian government to use its current leadership position to ensure greater access to medicines for AIDS and other public health needs in developing countries.
Added on 24 March 2010
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