Essential drugs

Availability of an appropriate selection and regular supply of affordable drugs that are efficacious, safe and of good quality, is a prerequisite for any operative health care system. In most of the industrialized countries a variety of drugs are usually available in sufficient quantity and some drugs may even be over-used in medical therapy, yet half the world's population lacks regular access to the most needed drugs. This article describes some activities the World Health Organization (WHO) has undertaken since 1977 in order to determine and publish an updated model list of essential drugs and to safeguard everyone's equitable access to the most needed drugs.