SCHOOL OF PHARMACY, P O Box 218, MEDUNSA 0204
Tel: (012) 521-4080
Fax: (012) 521-3378
e-mail (dept):
Mr(s) xxx
Dear
PROMOTING RATIONAL DRUG USE IN THE COMMUNITY COURSE
5 – 17th SEPTEMBER 2004
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
On behalf of the World Health Organisation, the University of Amsterdam, the Royal Tropical Institute and the School of Pharmacy MEDUNSA, we are writing to provide you with important information about this two-week training course that you have been accepted to attend.
VENUE
The course will be held at Bentley’s Country Lodge, Corner of Brits Road (R513) and Main Street, Akasia, Pretoria, Gaunteng, South Africa. (Telephone No: 27 12 542 1751 or email ). Bentley’s Country Lodge is situated at the foot of the Magaliesberg and the luxurious thatched rooms open onto lush gardens. All the rooms are equipped with multi-channel TV, en-suite bathrooms, shower and/or bath. The lodge will be a good environment for us to work and interact. All meals are included in the course fee.
ARRIVAL AND FIRST DAY
Please note that Sunday 5th September is a working day. A registration desk will be open in the hotel from 10:00 – 12:00. Participants will be given course materials at that time. Materials will also be available on the following Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy website later in the year: www.who.int/medicines/ An opening ceremony and reception will be held at the hotel on Sunday 5th September at 18:00 (6 pm).
Please be sure that your flight will arrive in time for you to register and attend the first session since this session will provide an important orientation to the course. If you are traveling a long distance, you should plan to arrive at least by Saturday. This plan will allow some time for rest and adjustment to the local environment and possible time change. It will also mean that should you encounter travel delays, you will have a safety net of one day and won’t risk missing part of the course. Please note any extra nights other than the period Sunday 5th September to Thursday 16th September, will be for your own account.
TRANSPORTATION
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Bentley’s Country Lodge is approximately 50 kilometers from Johannesburg International Airport and 15 kilometers from Pretoria City Centre. You will be met at the airport by a driver from Destinet Shuttle Service. When you come through the gate please look for your name and MEDUNSA on the board they will be holding. You will then be accompanied to Bentley’s Country Lodge. Should you get lost, please go to the Information Desk and ask them to call Destinet Shuttle Service. We must have your flight information (date, flight number, and estimated time of arrival) and confirmation of your meeting time for you to be met at the airport. Email or fax this information and be sure to receive a confirmation of receipt from us.
HOST INSTITUTION
The School of Pharmacy, Medical University of Southern Africa, will be hosting the conference and making all the local arrangements in South Africa. We will also provide information on applying for a South African visa.
Our address is: School of Pharmacy, MEDUNSA, PO Box 218, MEDUNSA, 0204, RSA. Tel: +27 12 521 4240/521 4312; Fax: +27 12 521 3378;
e-mail: . Please ask for Gail.
OBTAINING A VISA
Every person seeking to enter South Africa must be in possession of a valid passport for travel to South Africa and, where necessary, a visa. Enquiries can be directed to South African diplomatic representatives in you country.
It is your responsibility to enquire and obtain a visa if necessary. As this procedure may take some time you should begin as soon as possible. Visas are not issued on arrival at South African ports of entry.
CLIMATE
Pretoria has a pleasant sunny climate with average temperatures between 12°C and 27°C during September. You are therefore advised to bring some light clothing and an umbrella plus something a little warmer for the evenings should it rain.
WHAT TO BRING
National Dress
We suggest you bring along your national dress, both for the reception and closing dinner.
Personal medicines and vaccinations
Please remember to bring a supply of any medicines you may need or regularly take. Mosquito repellent is recommended. Pretoria is not in a malaria area. No international immunization is needed when entering South Africa. The only inoculation requirement is a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travelers entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected country.
Description of national drug use problems
As the course follows a problem-oriented approach in the development of rational drug use interventions, it is really helpful if you prepare in advance a short description of three important consumer drug use problems in your country beforehand (no more than one page in total). Please cite any appropriate studies or secondary sources that provide data on the problems. If possible, bring copies of these studies and secondary sources. You will be asked to present the three problems and review the evidence in exercises at the beginning of the course. So come prepared!!
Educational materials
Please bring copies of interesting educational materials (posters, pamphlets, videos, text or recording of radio programmes) that promote the rational use of drugs by consumers or confront issues that affect drug use by consumers. These materials will be used as illustrations in this course and, if possible, we would like to keep them for future teaching purposes. We will reimburse the cost of expensive items, such as a video.
Newspaper cuttings
For the session on working with journalists, please cut from your regular newspaper a selection on drug use and drug advertisements during the two weeks prior to the course.
LUGGAGE SPACE
We all – except the most disciplined of us – tend to travel with a lot of things we don’t need but which fill up our suitcase. You will receive a personal library of course materials that weighs about 8 kilos. Please allow enough space in your luggage to take this home with you without problems. Airlines can be very strict about baggage allowance and excess baggage is VERY expensive.
Should you have any queries or need any further information, please feel free to contact me. We are here to help you. The best means of communication is by phone, email or fax (see contact details on page 1).
We hope you will have a safe and enjoyable journey, as well as a productive training course with us. We look forward to welcoming you to “Sunny South Africa”.
With kind regards
GAIL KRUGER
COURSE CO-ORDINATOR
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY: MEDUNSA
July 2004
MISSION OF THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of the people of Southern Africa through innovative pharmacy-related learning programmes, research and support services.