Job Vacancy with MSF in New Delhi: Pharmaceutical access liaison for India

[Guest guest]

Dear all

Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) Access Campaign is recruiting a

Pharmacist full time in India. To apply, please send your CV and

covering letter to Isabelle.Saussereau@... by end March

2007.

Thanks

Pascual Martínez

MSF Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines

.PASCUAL@...

_____________________

Job Title: Pharmaceutical access liaison for India

Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines, Médecins Sans Frontières

http://www.accessmed.msf.org/index.asp

Job location: New Delhi, India

Salary: depending on Professional experience/level

Start date: April 2007

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ABOUT THE ACCESS CAMPAIGN

The Campaign for Access to Essential medicines is an international

MSF project. It was launched in 1999 after a reflection on the

quality of medical care dispensed by MSF. General objectives are:

1. To make new " life-saving or essential " medicines, vaccines and

diagnosis tools affordable and accessible,

2. To secure the production and accessibility of quality essential

medicines, vaccines and diagnosis tools that have either been

abandoned, or for which stock discontinuation is leading to access

problems.

3. To stimulate research and development activities of new medicines,

vaccines and diagnosis tools for neglected diseases.

4. In addition, a key function of the Campaign is to challenge and

stimulate MSF to not accept a status quo based on sub-standard

medical tools.

India is key for supplying essential medicines to developing

countries, including new products not available as generic in other

countries with manufacturing capacity. For MSF in general the

pharmaceutical procurement for all essential drugs needed in our

programmes, is more and more rooted in the availability of quality

and cheaper sources in India.

For ensuring continuity on the availability of key generic products,

and in adapted formulations, there is the need to have a better

articulation and more efficient relationship with Indian

manufacturers.

Moreover, there are a number of challenges currently in India related

to intellectual property as a result of India complying with WTO

requirements India i.e. Patent legislation revised in March 2005.

Patient groups in India and abroad, non-governmental organizations

and of course the multinational and national pharmaceutical industry,

closely follow the developments in India and try to influence the

course of events. To deal with potential IP barriers that could

hamper the development of appropriate generic medicines, close

pharmaceutical support to the legal and advocacy team is needed.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Generic industry: Close follow-up of Indian generic companies to

encourage the development and production of quality medicines that

meet medical needs (e.g. adequate ARV fixed dose combinations

including paediatric formulations), influencing R & D pipeline.

a. Identifying new sources as relevant for key medicines,

b. Boosting the submission to WHO prequalification programme

c. Close follow up of pharmaceutical dossiers for submission to MSF

Qualification Scheme

d. Network with other groups working on similar priorities: Clinton

Foundation, International Agencies

• Pharmaceutical companies' policies: Monitor Multinational

Pharmaceutical Industry in India regarding policies on licensing,

i.e. impact and nature of voluntary licenses for key products

• Intellectual property: Pharmaceutical technical support for IP

related issues to ensuring generic production (e.g. pre-grant patent

oppositions, data exclusivity and data protection changes in law)

• Research & Development: identify potential options in the field of

Vaccines, Diagnostics or Medicines in the pipeline upon request

according to CAME priorities

• Advocacy: Pharmaceutical technical participation in communication

and in networking with local groups as relevant to achieve named

objectives. Participation as well at regional level, representing and

communicating MSF/CAME position on global Access issues

Additionally, support to :

- International office

Upon demand, for non-CAME pharmaceutical products, support for

interaction with Indian manufacturers for MSF international

procurement to follow up matters that require personal interaction

locally

• Facilitate audits and compilation for dossiers according to MSF

Qualification Scheme,

• Follow up of specific problems related to quality or procurement

- Direct support to Operations

Normally local supply of medicines for local consumption is dealt by

MSF Section Pharmacists. Upon request, support to improve local

supply for MSF projects in India.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• As a member of the team in India, works under supervision of the

Coordinator of the India Campaign group,

• Accountable to CAME Campaign Pharmacist Coordinator

• Technical support given by Campaign Pharmacist Coordinator (in

close coordination with MSF International Pharmaceutical Coordinator)

• Administratively depends on MSF Holland in New Delhi

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Pharmaceutical diplomat with at least 5 years post graduate

experience on developing countries

• Proven experience of working independently under minimal supervision

• Demonstrable experience of working as part of a multi-cultural team

• Fluency in written and oral English

• Ability to travel

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in Pharmaceutical Industry or Drug regulatory

Authorities

• Experience in Advocacy campaigns

• Experience in India

• Field experience in at least 2-3 MSF missions or a similar medical

NGO

The position is for a minimum period of 12 months, to be reviewed.

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to

Isabelle.Saussereau@... by end March 2007.