Source: https://russia.cochrane.org/news/public-lecture-professor-hans-v-hogerzeil-access-expensive-essential-medicines-part-universal
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 22:55:13+00:00

Document:
Public lecture of the Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil "Access to expensive essential medicines as part of Universal Health Coverage"
The Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan Federal University, and Cochrane Russia welcomed in Kazan Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil in his capacity of Honorary International Member of the Academy of Sciences with two-day visit, which became a truly International Knowledge Translation event in the field of Essential Medicines, held in Kazan, Russia, 16-17 November.
Over the two successful days the focus was on Essential Medicines as part of Universal Health Coverage and the Right to Health. It marked the second visit of Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil to Kazan, Russia.
On the 16th November Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil gave a public lecture at the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences.
Over 300 people representing health and research community of Tatarstan gathered for the public lecture. The Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan Vadim V. Khomenko, officially opened the ceremony of public lecture and gave a warm welcome to Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil and participants on behalf of the President of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Professor Myakzyum Salakhov.
The theme of the public lecture was 'Access to expensive essential medicines as part of Universal Health Coverage' and aimed to empower the audience and beyond with knowledge and understanding of the Concept of Essential Medicines in the current increasingly complex environment of pharmaceutical innovation and marketing.
In his speech, Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil gave a detailed account of the global situation around the Essential Medicines, access to medicines, their availability, affordability and pricing policies. Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population, are selected with due regard to disease prevalence, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness, are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times, in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality, and at a price the individual and the community can afford. Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil noted that pharmaceutical companies claim that high prices are necessary for research and development of new drugs in the future and explained why this is not true and why pricing policies of pharmaceutical companies prevent equitable access to new and very effective medicines for the patients who need them the most. People in middle-income countries are affected the most, because they have very strict patent legislation, which does not allow the use of some exceptions and flexibilities working in low-income countries. Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil provided an update on the situation in middle- and high-income countries and practical recommendations that could help solve the problem.
The public lecture was a huge success and marked the new level of collaborative work at the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences with Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil for Access to Medicines as part of Universal Health Coverage and the Right to Health.
On the 17th November Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil had a very intensive day at the Kazan Federal University. The warm welcome by the University started with the tour over the History Museum of the Kazan Federal University, then the Center for practical clinical skills training, equipped with simulation techniques and devices. The Director of the Institute of fundamental and medicine and biology Professor Andrei Kyassov demonstrated all functional possibilities of the simulation and laboratory complex and the modern Anatomy theatre. Then Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil met the students of the Institute of fundamental and medicine and biology and presented them a lecture on Essential Medicines and Universal Health Coverage.
Over 100 medical, pharmacy and dentistry students led by pharmacology teaching staff gathered for the lecture and discussion. The discussion after the lecture was very intensive and inspiring, students and lecturers, one after another, kept asking questions and sharing their views and concerns. If the timing would not be limited, the students would not let Professor go with more and more questions. The day continued by viewing the University Students Campus.
Getting to know the University was concluded by the warm welcome to Professor Hans V. Hogerzeil at the main University building by the Vice-Rector for International Relations Linar N. Latypov on behalf of the Rector of the Kazan Federal University, Professor Ilshat R. Gafurov.
We warmly thank all participants of the public lecture from the Kazan Federal University, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan State Medical Academy, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan and health care institutions of the city of Kazan, who were very active with their questions, inspiring and stimulating discussion.

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