National medicines policy development, Saudi Arabia.

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Pharmaceutical Management
• Health System Strengthening

Background:

• Medicines are central to health systems, necessitating national policies for access, affordability, and rational use.
• The World Health Organization advocates for national medicines policies to guide pharmaceutical practices.
• Saudi Arabia's health system transformation prompted the development of a new national medicines policy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the key components of Saudi Arabia's national medicines policy.
• To outline the policy's role in formalizing best practices and guiding future pharmaceutical development.
• To detail the policy's focus on institutional roles, procurement, prescribing, supply chain security, and domestic industry growth.

Main Methods:

• Review of past and current pharmaceutical context in Saudi Arabia.
• Incorporation of global best practices in medicines policy development.
• Collaborative development involving multiple sectors and institutions.

Main Results:

• The policy consolidates institutional roles for improved cohesion.
• Procurement and prescribing habits are reshaped with a focus on cost containment.
• Policies ensure a secure supply of quality medicines, including essential and new products.
• Support is provided for the growth of the domestic pharmaceutical industry and human resources.

Conclusions:

• The Saudi national medicines policy is evidence-based, providing clear direction for the pharmaceutical industry and implementing agencies.
• The policy formalizes existing practices, shapes emerging policies, and sets a future direction.
• Flexibility is maintained within the policy to adapt to a dynamic institutional landscape.