Dear Moderator,
Could you please clarify definition of essential drug? Do you have any document that review about definition of essential drug in each country?
Yours sincerely,
Araya
[According WHO - see http://www.who.int/medicines/
the proposed global definition is:
"Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population.
They are selected with due regard to public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness.
Essential medicines are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, and at a price the individual and the community can afford.
The implementation of the concept of essential medicines is intended to be flexible and adaptable to many different situations; exactly which medicines are regarded as essential remains a national responsibility."
I don't think the concept of essential drugs is different per country; but due to different health conditions and economies the lists of essential drugs may differ.
Wilbert Bannenberg, moderator]
Araya Sripairoj
PhD student, Room 212 HS Building 1
School of Public Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
La Trobe University
Bundoora, 3086
Victoria, Australia
Phone: 61 3 9479 1780, 61 3 9479 3921
Mobile phone: 61 4 31 557 813
Fax: 61 3 9479 1783