Essential drugs management

Viable pharmaceutical services are a core component of functioning health services and therefore of the success of all health strategies. Medicines are central to combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other communicable diseases, and the majority of non-communicable diseases.

Since 2003, poor countries are able to import cheaper generic medicines made under compulsory licensing if they are unable to manufacture the drugs themselves; this resulted from the WTO's revision of the 2001 Doha TRIPS (intellectual property) and public health agreement. However, the efficient management of medicines is notoriously difficult, and drug supply fails for many reasons. The WHO has developed a framework for collective action to ensure equitable access to essential drugs. This framework includes rational selection, affordable prices, sustainable financing and a reliable health and supply system.

The following list of resources has been chosen to help those with a professional need to develop this aspect of their work using relevant, good quality information. The list connects with WHO's work on essential drugs, and many of the references are documents produced by the Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy Department - generally accepted as the global reference point for best practice on this subject.