Task force countries:  10
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.

Started in 2000, this project compiles guidelines on priorities, strategies and action for the pharmacist in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  The aim is to encourage prevention, safe sexual behaviour, risk reduction, improved treatment, and provision of pharmaceutical care in the community.  A second aim is to improve patient follow-up by promoting collaboration between community and hospital pharmacists, and other health care providers.

The project is based on the efforts of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and WHO in the Working Group on AIDS and Drug Addiction.  For many years the working group has advocated and worked for pharmacist support for people with HIV.

Based on the Vancouver Declaration, "The role of the pharmacist in the fight against the HIV-AIDS pandemic" (1997), a draft project model has been developed.  The draft model outlines ways in which pharmacists can develop practical strategies against HIV/AIDS, for instance as activities in the areas of cooperation, organization, pharmaceutical care, prevention and training.  The draft model, with its priority actions, was circulated for comments and final discussions will take place during the meeting of the task force and its partners around mid-2002.

During the same period the FIP/WHO working group on Pharmacists and HIV/AIDS has developed three draft modules on the role of the pharmacist in HIV/AIDS prevention for intravenous drug users; in safe and effective use of HIV/AIDS therapies; and in prevention and information on HIV/AIDS.  In September 2004, FIP launched the International Network for Pharmacists on HIV/AIDS. The Network aims to provide a platform for discussion and information sharing for pharmacists working and interested in the area of HIV/AIDS.

The elaboration of the Forum model project is coordinated with the FIP schedule and the project work has been focused on developing the network and exchanging experiences between the task force members.

Future plans include:

investigating how AIDS medicines are distributed in Europe;
continuing efforts to establish a panel of advisors in the newly independent states (NIS);
expanding contact to relevant persons, experts and other potential partners such as, the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS).