Medicines

Medicines policy

WHO supports Member States in country/intercountry, regional efforts to develop, implement and monitor the effectiveness of national medicines policies, guidelines, strategies and plans that ensure the availability, affordability and rational use of essential medicines and traditional, complementary and alternative medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality.

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TBS seminars

Technical Briefing Seminar on Essential Medicines policies

Past Technical Briefing seminars

How to develop and implement a National Drug Policy

NDP how to implement

In 1975, the World Health Assembly in resolution WHA28.66 requested WHO to develop means to assist Member States in formulating national drug policies. It also urged WHO to assist countries in implementing strategies, such as the selection of essential drugs and appropriate procurement of quality drugs based on health needs, and in providing education and training in various elements of pharmaceutical programmes. This resolution was followed by a series of events that marked the evolution of country drug programmes with the assistance of WHO.

Continuity and Change
Implementing the third WHO Medicines Strategy 2008-2013

Continuity and change: WHO Medcines strategy 2008-2013


Continuity and Change – Implementing the third WHO Medicines Strategy 2008-2013, provides practical guidance to WHO and stakeholders on how the essential medicines concept and WHO’s expertise will be used to promote universal access and patient-centred health care for all. It presents priorities for action by WHO as a guide for future investment and planning decisions, and serves as a user-friendly document for stakeholders...

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Examples of National Medicines Policy

Medicines publications

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