WHO Medicines Strategy Consultation
Over the last decade, WHO's activities in the field of medicines have been guided by the WHO Medicines Strategies for 2000-2003 and 2004-2007. Based on these good experiences and to ensure a strong foundation for the 'new' Department of Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies, we have decided to develop a third WHO Medicines Strategy to formulate our strategic approaches within the scope of WHO's Medium Term Strategic Plan for 2008-2013.
The purposes of the WHO Medicines Strategy 2008-2013 are:
- For WHO and major stakeholders to reflect on the future needs and WHO's comparative strengths in the medicines area
- To present how WHO proposes to contribute towards the achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals and the implementation of the relevant World Health Assembly resolutions and the Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2008-2013
- Within this strategic landscape, to develop and present priorities for action by WHO and guide future investment and planning decisions
- To create a tool for advocacy and information for stakeholders; showing the overall picture within which WHO Medicines Programme operates.
The Strategy document is not intended to repeat existing information on the global pharmaceutical situation and past achievements. It summarizes the changes that have occurred since 2003 and the key challenges going forward from 2008. The strategy presents major strategic directions and approaches but does not include operational details or workplans.
We are pleased to share with you the current draft of the WHO Medicines Strategy 2008-2013, for your review and comments. To help get you started we are specifically interested in your feedback on the following questions:
- Do you agree with our analysis of global trends and gaps in the pharmaceutical sector?
- Do you agree with the strategic directions and priority activities we have identified?
- Is there any important activity or strategic direction missing?
- In case we have to define our priorities in view of limited resources, which component(s) of the strategy would you consider of lowest priority for WHO?
Please feel free to share the draft strategy with your colleagues and partners. Comments may be sent by email to: empinfo@who.int or by mail to Director, Department of Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies, World Health Organization, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. We look forward to receiving your comments before 1 October 2008. We look forward to receiving your comments before 1 October 2008. If we have not heard from you by that time, we will assume that you will not be submitting comments.
Your feedback and advice are very much appreciated. We look forward to hearing from you.