OSI’s Access to Medicines Initiative brought 45 activists to Kiev to address obstacles to providing medicines for HIV and drug addiction treatment in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Throughout the region, antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment and methadone and buprenorphine, which have been shown to be effective in treating addiction to heroin and other opiate drugs, remain unavailable for the patients who need them most. The seminar fostered discussion on the challenges presented by regional regulations on these drugs, procurement procedures, and supply management.

Over the course of three days, participants from eight countries worked with international experts to refine a draft methodology for a regional procurement research project. Plans were made to implement the research project in their home countries and to have preliminary results available for the Eastern European and Central Asian AIDS Conference. The ultimate aim of the project is to inform and create advocacy strategies at a national, regional and international level encouraging lower prices and ensuring sustained supply and quality of medicines.

Presentations from the seminar are available online at: http://health.osf.lt/en/seminars/.