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The selection of essential medicines results in
improved quality of care, better management of medicines, and a
cost-effective use of available health resources. Selection of essential
medicines needs to take account of public health relevance, the best
available clinical evidence of efficacy and safety as well as an assessment
of comparative cost-effectiveness. The process needs to be transparent and
should consider the perspectives of the patient, health professionals and
national authorities. The rational use of medicines implies that patients receive medicines
appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their individual
requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them
and their community.
The irrational use of medicines and other health technologies is widespread.
It not only undermines the potential usefulness of medicines and health
technologies but also results in negative therapeutic and economic outcomes.
WHO estimates that more than half of all medicines are prescribed, dispensed
or sold inappropriately, and that half of all patients fail to take them correctly. The overuse, underuse or misuse of medicines
results in wastage of scarce resources and widespread health hazards. WHO
advocates 12 key interventions to promote more rational use of medicines.
WHO
Country Office with CDSCO and collaborating partners has supported the
establishment of independent drug information centres
and has undertaken a study on consumer information. Other initiatives include
building up a data base of sound alike and look alike (SALA) brands and
developing drug information leaflets.
 Reports
Links
 National List of Essential Medicines (PDF)
WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (PDF)
WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (PDF)
WHO Model Formulary
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