english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2011 > Prescrire's Solidarity Support Programme: helping individuals or organisations in countries with insufficient financial resources.

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Prescrire's Solidarity Support Programme: helping individuals or organisations in countries with insufficient financial resources.

This Programme helps individuals or organisations whose goals are close to Prescrire’s, in countries with insufficient financial resources. No contributions are accepted from pharmaceutical firms or other sources which may present a conflict of interest.

Prescrire’s Solidarity Support Programme was founded in 1993. The original purpose of the Programme was to allow Prescrire subscribers to donate subscriptions to Prescrire or Prescrire International to healthcare professionals practising in low-income countries.

This principal has since been enlarged. Grants now cover research materials beyond just subscriptions to Prescrire, and extend to training for the editors of independent drug bulletins and other educational or research initiatives that are in tune with Prescrire’s goals and values.

The Programme’s activities in 2010
Contributions from Prescrire subscribers in 2010 totalled 11 593 euros. The majority is derived from vouchers given to subscribers for bringing in new subscribers, or to reviewers for critiquing draft articles. Many recipients choose to donate these vouchers to the Solidarity Support Programme.

The activities funded included:

  • Training for members of Cedim. This organisation in Burkina Faso publishes La Lettre du Cedim, which is a member of the International Society of Drug Bulletins. Its editor received training to create a new website.
  • Participation in the 2010 Prescrire Encounters. The Programme funded travel and expenses for 9 Algerian subscribers to attend the Rencontres Prescrire 2010 in Brussels. 3 of them presented posters on healthcare initiatives in their country.
  • Subscriptions to Prescrire and Prescrire International. The Programme financed subscriptions for healthcare professionals in low-income countries, often for members of the International Society of Drug Bulletins. In 2010 the Programme sponsored subscriptions for recipients in Cuba, Tunisia and a handful of other developing countries.

How to get involved
Prescrire calls upon readers to put forth suggestions of future beneficiaries for an award from the Solidarity Support Programme. Subscribers and other interested parties are also encouraged to contribute financially. No contributions are accepted from pharmaceutical firms or other sources which may present a conflict of interest.

Please send suggested beneficiaries, or your contribution, to:
Prescrire - Abonnés Solidaires, 83 bd Voltaire, 75558 Paris Cedex 11, France ©Prescrire

> Click here for the Solidarity Support Programme rules

©Prescrire 1 September 2011

"Prescrire's Solidarity Support Programme" Prescrire Int 2011; 20 (119): 224. (pdf, free)
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