Recommended readings
WHO medicines strategy 2008-2013
How will WHO fulfil its medicine related commitments?
Authors:
Publisher:
World Health Organization , 2008
In 1978 the Alma Ata conference identified the availability, quality and rational use of essential medicines as one of the components of primary health care. Now, after three decades of disease-oriented, vertical approaches, the need for comprehensive health care and strengthened health systems has become apparent again. This document describes how the World Health Organization (WHO) intends to fulfil its medicine-related commitments in the WHO Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2008-2013. Within this plan, the medicines work is mainly, but not exclusively, concentrated in one specific strategic objective: access, quality and rational use of medical products and essential health technologies. The document outlines the organisational results expected from this objective and also describes how WHO intends to support the achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals.
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the WHO medicines strategy are outlined. The authors show how trends, challenges and gaps exist in the global pharmaceutical situation. These include vertical programmes, which also need horizontal health systems, and the increasing numbers of players and partnerships within the operational landscape. The document highlights how several tools are available to implement the WHO medicines strategy. These include advocacy of good public health and ethical values, the continuation of a solid foundation on highly standardised procedures, and a scientific approach to develop evidence-based standards and policy guidance. The authors also show that internal collaboration, country support, partnerships and WHO staff rotational posts will benefit the WHO medicines strategy.
