Norvartis Malaria Initiative experts have convened for the 13th annual National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) Best Practice Sharing Workshop in a bid to discuss and share knowledge and experiences as well as drive dialogue around improved health outcomes and access to quality antimalarial treatments for patients in Africa.

Norvatis has come together with the best of minds and leaders; Global Fund, World Health Organization, the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, the Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, US Pharmacopeia, Populations Services International, Ifakara Health Institute, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board in meetings that have led to groundbreaking projects such as the development of SMS for life.

NMCP meetings have helped foster new approaches that will help ensure all patients have access to quality antimalarias and bring the program closer to malaria elimination. Since the first workshop in 2006, the initiative gave birth to SMS for Life program a platform meant to support more efficient stock management in rural health facilities.

Speaking on behalf of the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Dr. Ambrose Talisuna says: "It's crucial that governments take urgent action to ensure patients are not put at risk of sub-standard treatments. We must make sure that the public is made aware of the importance of taking preventative measures as well. The ongoing role of Novartis in facilitating these workshops provides a platform for discussing these important issues, for sharing best practice in public education and for mapping the sources of poor quality antimalarials."