Projects updates and events
International Health Partners' Official Launch at the House of Lords
Over 100 people attended the reception held at the House of Lords on 11th November to mark the official launch of International Health Partners. There was enthusiastic support from the five key stakeholder groups who will join in partnership with IHP in channelling donated medical aid to developing countries, with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, the medical community, NGOs and Government as well as interested individuals.
IHP's launch, hosted by Lord McColl of Dulwich, was greeted with cross-party support from the leaders of all three main UK parties, including the Prime Minister, whose message of support was read out at the reception. Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms MP, speaking at the launch, acknowledged that, with a third of the world's population having no access to the medicines they need, IHP’s programme of donated medicines had a key role to play alongside the differential pricing strategies promoted by Government. Expressing his confidence in the IHP team, he added that the Treasury will be following progress with great interest.
Anthony Dunnett, President of IHP, highlighted the success of a sister Canadian venture (HPIC), and said "From experience in North America and discussion across the UK healthcare industry, we believe that there could be as much as £100 million of in-date and usable pharmaceutical products made available for donation in the UK each year".
The launch of IHP was marked by the handing over of the first Doctors Travel Pack, to the charity Dig Deep for Bangladesh who will take the pack to Dhaka at the end of November. The pack, sufficient for the primary healthcare needs of 1000 people, was donated by UniChem.
The Travel Pack Programme will be the first IHP programme to be operational in early 2005, followed by IHP's other three programmes for targeted relief, disaster relief and special consignments.
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Display of the contents of a typical Doctor's Travel Pack, designed to meet the needs of 1000 people. Donated by Unichem (the pharmaceutical and healthcare supplies wholesaler), the items shown include 45 different products sourced from over 30 companies, with a wholesale value of over £3,000. |
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The first Doctor's Travel Pack destined for Bangladesh is given by Anthony Dunnett (President of IHP) and Mark Stephenson (Director of UniChem and BAPW) to Dr Sheila Webb (Public Health Director) and Anthony Tucker (Consultant ENT Surgeon) both of the charity Dig Deep for Bangladesh, who are traveling to Dhaka at the end of November to offer medical care to the poor. |
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Addressing the launch gathering, Anthony Dunnett CBE, President of IHP, welcomed guests and recognised that “this new venture was the first time not only in the UK, but across Europe, that all the stakeholders had come together to develop sustainable programmes of donated aid coordinated alongside the Millennium Goals and the UN’s strategic approach to meeting the needs of low income countries”. |
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Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, spoke in support of IHP, saying: "The UK policy on access to essential medicines emphasises the need for cooperation, not least in managing donations that are appropriate. And that is why the International Health Partners initiative is so welcome". |
Shown at the House of Lords launch (from left to right): John Kelsall (President HPIC; Chairman IHP); Dr Sheila Webb (Director, Public Health and GP; Dig Deep for Bangladesh); Mark Stephenson (Director, Unichem and BAPW); Stephen Timms MP (Financial Secretary to the Treasury); Chris Zanetti (Chief Executive, Seven Seas and PABG); Anthony Tucker FRCS (Consultant ENT Surgeon; Dig Deep for Bangladesh); John Wilkinson (Director General ABHI); Anthony Dunnett CBE (President IHP); Dr Richard Barker (Director General, ABPI); Professor the Lord McColl of Dulwich CBE (Professor of Surgery; President Leprosy Mission; Chairman Mercy Ships; Board member IHP).
Click below to see
Letter from the Prime Minister
Full text of Stephen Timms' speech
International Health Partners
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This site was updated on 23.05.07