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MSF Access Campaign Pharmacist

5:02:00 PM

Vacancy Access Campaign Pharmacist

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES Access Campaign

I. Terms of reference

Job title: Access Campaign Pharmacist Job location: Geneva, Switzerland Job dimension: 100 percent Duration: Long-term contract Gross salary: CHF 7,905 x 12 months Start date: as soon as possible

II. General presentation

ABOUT THE ACCESS CAMPAIGN The Access Campaign was started in 1999 and is part of MSF International. It aims to improve access to, and stimulate development of, medicines, diagnostics and vaccines that could have a major impact on morbidity and mortality in contexts where MSF works. The Access Campaign challenges external medical-political actors in order to overcome barriers identified by practitioners in MSF programmes and those practicing in similar environments. To this end, the Campaign aims to influence international policies relevant to improving access and stimulating innovation.

The priorities of the Access Campaign are guided by the medical challenges faced by MSF’s operations. The aim is to improve medical practice in resource-limited settings by accessing new tools (drugs, diagnostics and vaccines) that can change the organisation’s medical practice.

Access Campaign Pharmacist
The Access Campaign Pharmacist supports the pharmaceutical activities of the Access Campaign on key pharmaceutical product categories, such as medicines for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and neglected diseases. The Pharmacist manages data collection and analysis on key pharmaceutical products that forms the basis for advocacy on sources, availability and prices. The Pharmacist plays a crucial role in solving access problems of specific pharmaceutical products and in maintaining contacts with pharmaceutical companies and identifying new manufacturers for priority products. The Pharmacist works in close collaboration with the different teams of the Access Campaign and the MSF international pharmacist network. The Access Campaign Pharmacist reports to the Access Campaign’s Pharmaceutical Coordinator, based in Geneva.

III. Description of activities

  1. Lead data collection and analysis on availability, prices, sources and access policies of pharmaceutical companies for HIV/AIDS, TB, and other key medical products. a. Responsible for the data collection and analysis on antiretroviral medicines sources and prices, which constitute the basis of the annual pricing and access report, Untangling the Web of Antiretroviral Price Reductions. b. Coordinate the yearly update of the data and analysis of TB medicines in the annual report, DR-TB drugs under the microscope in collaboration with the MSF TB pharmacist. c. Propose new prices and other types of analysis on drugs as relevant, and provide technical support on price monitoring of health products. d. Critically monitor and influence access policies of pharmaceutical companies at a global level and their implementation in developing countries.

  2. Source key pharmaceutical products for MSF and resolve access problems for specific products a. Search for sources of new key products - new medicines or new improved formulations of existing medicines. b. Prepare product cards on relevant pharmaceutical products. c. Prepare pharmaceutical dossiers on HIV drugs (and other key relevant pharmaceutical products as needed) according to the MSF Internal Qualification Scheme d. Respond to requests on price and other access barriers for individual products; analyse barriers, propose strategies, and participate in the implementation of strategies

  3. Monitor regulatory statuses that allow timely approval of new key pharmaceutical products targeted by the Access Campaign a. Monitor and document the regulatory status of key pharmaceutical products in selected developing countries. b. Monitor policies and approaches of regulatory agencies in the marketing approval of new key pharmaceutical products. c. Maintain an overview of the prequalification status list for HIV/AIDS medicines

  4. Advocate for the development of new drug formulations needed to treat HIV a. In collaboration with the Access Campaign medical team, identify and prioritise new formulations in need of development (new fixed dose combinations, paediatric formulations, etc), and develop an advocacy strategy targeting drug developers and donors so that these drugs are developed and used. b. Monitor research into new formulations (long acting formulations, heat stable, etc) and provide a perspective on MSF needs on research where relevant

  5. Participate and provide input into the strategy and advocacy work of the Access Campaign in relation to pharmaceutical issues. a. Prepare and give presentations for internal and external meetings, including international congresses related to access to medicine issues. b. Provide technical input and review for the Access Campaign communications team and other members of the Access Campaign team needing support on publications, presentations and press releases related to medicines. c. Maintain an external and internal network of relevant stakeholders. Participate in the MSF AIDS Working Group. IV. Skills and Experience

ESSENTIAL • Degree in Pharmacy with at least 4 years post graduate experience in different countries, including significant working experience in developing countries • Proven experience of working independently under minimal supervision • Accuracy in managing data • Strong analytical skills • Demonstrable experience of working as part of a multi-cultural team • Fluency in written and oral English • Availability for travel

DESIRABLE • Field experience with MSF or a similar medical NGO • Experience in HIV/AIDS treatment projects • Advocacy experience • Knowledge of French or Spanish IV. How to apply Please send your application to Michelle Vilk by 17 October 2011: michelle.vilk@geneva.msf.org

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