Aventis Pharma, a part of world third largest pharma giant sanofi-aventis, has launched Prayas programme to bridge the diagnosis-treatment gap through a structured continuing education programme for rural doctors across India. As per the Prayas programme, specialists from semi-urban areas will share latest medical knowledge and clinical experience with general practitioners based in smaller towns and villages in the interiors of India. Further, it will make quality medicines available at affordable prices for rural India patients. Together, these strategies will be known as sanofi-aventis 'Hoechst' initiative for rural India.

The pilot program has successfully tested the unique 'Prayas' mentor-mentee model amongst more than 3,200 medical practitioners across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The company conducted 554 workshops and three modules on respiratory diseases during the pilot phase. It had begun by introducing ten drugs for infections, pain and gastric disturbances. The initial workshops will be focus on respiratory, gastrointestinal and nutritional diseases as these are the major concerns in rural India. It will extend Prayas in these states and also in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in the coming five years. It will extend the benefits of this programme to as many as one lakh doctors in rural areas.

Dr Shailesh Ayyanger, managing director, Aventis Pharma, said, “As a global healthcare company, Sanofi-aventis is able to leverage its resources for the benefit of the neediest sections of the healthcare delivery chain. Prayas represents sanofi-aventis' firm commitment to inclusive healthcare management in India which complements the Government's efforts to extend healthcare access to the furthest corners of rural India”

He further added, “Usually rural patients simply receive symptomatic treatment that results in sub-optimal disease management. This often leads to antibiotics resistance, recurrence of disease, faulty treatment and eventually an increased economic burden on the individual and society. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment for these patients is a major concern. Through Prayas, sanofi-aventis is making strong efforts to ensure that patients in rural India are treated holistically and also locally for common ailments.”

Pratin Vete, senior director – Hoechst Business Unit, said, “Prayas is an evolving model that was piloted in May 2009. The fantastic response and commitment demonstrated by the rural medical fraternity, has encouraged us to accelerate our launch plans across the country.”

“To complement this knowledge-based program, sanofi-aventis is also launching a new range of quality medicines at affordable prices in these geographical areas under the old and familiar umbrella brand name – Hoechst, which is today a sanofi-aventis initiative. His product range will help to address the challenge of accessibility, affordability and availability of quality medicines to patients in remote villages,” Vet added.