[india-drug] 25th Anniversary of essential medicines

["Dr. Hans Hogerzeil"<hogerzeilh@who.int>]

25th Anniversary of essential medicines
--------------------------------------------

Dear all,

On 21 October 1977 the first Expert Committee on the Selection of 
Essential Drugs approved its report and the first WHO Model List of
Essential Medicines. In the past 25 years the concept of essential
medicines has become universal. In 2002, the number of countries with a
national pharmaceutical policy has risen to over one hundred; more than
150 countries have a national list of essential medicines, ¾ of which
have been updated in the last five years; 135 countries have developed
treatment guidelines for the most common diseases and complaints. No
public sector or health insurance system can afford to supply or
reimburse all medicines that are available on the market - so careful
selection is needed in all health systems, including those in developed
countries.

The concept is very relevant to the challenges of today, due to the
emergence of new epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, resistant malaria and
tuberculosis. New medicines for these disease are much more costly than
the existing therapies. In many developed countries total medicine
expenditure is rising by 10-18% per year, much faster than the consumer
price index or the annual growth in GNP. Most medicine budgets are
inadequate to cater for these costs.  

Below is some of the relevant information related to this 25th 
Anniversary of essential medicines, with a list of available materials
and suggestions for activities at the national or institutional level. 

Major events that took place already
*April 2002: Revision of WHO Model List of Essential Medicines;
inclusion of 12 antiviral medicines for treatment of HIV/AIDS 
*Technical Briefing at the World Health Assembly, 17 May 2002

*Upcoming events
*Launch of WHO Model Formulary - 4 September, Nice
*Special session at EDM Technical Briefing Seminar - 30 September,
Geneva
*Special Anniversary Seminar - 21 October, Geneva 
*Launch of the Essential Medicines Library - 21 October, Geneva
*Special session at Drug Policy Course - 21 October, Rio de Janeiro
*Special session at Drug Policy Course - 1 November, Tashkent
*Theme Issue of the Essential Drugs Monitor - December 

Main advocacy messages
1. The essential medicines concept remains very relevant (e.g. HIV,
malaria, TB)
2. The essential medicines concept is globally applicable (e.g.
reimbursement schemes, teaching hospitals)
3. Access to essential medicines is a precondition for fulfilling the
right to health 
            
Information package for 25th Anniversary (currently available - more 
may be added later) 

1) WHO Policy Perspective on Selection of Essential Medicines 
6-page document which gives full background information on concept,
global relevance, current application and key references; available in
E, F, S at
http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/ood/ood6pagers.shtml

2) 12th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines 
Gives latest WHO Model List, plus introduction and explanation. PDF and
Word File available in Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish
(Arabic to follow) at
http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/par/edl/eml.shtml

3) 25 years of Essential Medicines (PowerPoint presentation in English)
24 slides on: Achievements 1977-2002, Unfinished agenda, Selection of
essential medicines, Promising developments.
Available on request from <hogerzeilh@who.int>

4) Sticker "25 Years Essential Medicines" 
Copy printed on www.who.int/medicines homepage. Three hard copy formats
available: 3cm, 6cm, 10cm, in English/French; available free of charge
on request from <darec@who.int>

Suggestions for local / national activities
1. Technical seminar on national/institutional relevance of concept of
essential medicines
2. Dissemination of technical information (local materials, WHO
materials, WHO website)
3. Press briefings, articles in local press
4. Special seminars for medical/pharmacy students, paramedical students

We would encourage all of you to think about the relevance of the 
Essential medicines concept in your own situation - and about
organizing some anniversary or commemorative activity.

With best regards, 


Hans V. Hogerzeil, MD, PhD, FRCP Edin
Coordinator for policy, access and rational use
Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy
World Health Organisation, 1211 Geneva
Tel +41-22-7913528
Fax +41-22-7914167
<hogerzeilh@who.int>




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