470P THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANADIAN MICROBICIDES ACTION PLAN: A MODEL OF MULTI-SECTORAL COLLABORATION M O'Connor1, L Binder2, E Burger3, J Gunning4, MA LeBlanc5, S Theophilus6, G Usher7, I Wellmeier8 Objectives: To develop a meaningful national Action Plan for Canada on the role of government, industry, community and researchers in the development, support and eventual introduction of microbicides, both domestically and internationally.
1Interagency Coaltion on AIDS and Development (ICAD), Ottawa; 2Canadian Treatment Action Council, Toronto, Ontario; 3Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 4Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa; 5Health Canada, International Health Division; 6Canadian AIDS Society and MAG-Net, Ottawa, Ontario; 7Polydex Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Toronto; 8Public Health Agency of Canada, HIV/AIDS Policy, Coordination and Policy, Coordination and Programs Division, Ottawa, Ontario
Methods: Two successful Symposia on Microbicides were held in Canada in October 2003 and March 2005 attended by government, industry, community and the research sectors interested in HIV/AIDS prevention technologies. During these symposia, participants identified the need for a multi-sectoral Action Plan to articulate domestic and global contributions from Canada to support the development and delivery of microbicides.
Following the symposia, a Steering Committee made up of representatives from these sectors undertook to develop an Action Plan, which positions microbicides strategically within broader Canadian HIV/AIDS strategies and in relation to the Canadian HIV Vaccines Plan. In developing the Action Plan, the steering committee conducted an environmental scan to identify Canadian involvement and expertise in microbicides research and development, and identified areas in which Canadian expertise can best be used to meet global and Canadian needs in the field.
Results: The Action Plan includes recommendations on policy and regulatory issues, cross-departmental and cross-sector mechanisms for collaboration, and steps to strengthen commitments to accelerate microbicides development and delivery.
Conclusion: Canada is the first country in the world to develop a multi-sector microbicides Action Plan outlining domestic and global contributions, and could serve as a model in the field.
To ensure the success of a long-term initiative such as developing a microbicides Action Plan, it is necessary to enhance collaborative working relationships between government, civil society and private sector, and to ensure decision-making and direction setting processes are consistent, shared and open.