I doubt whether the Health Horizons editorial will have much impact on the
essential drugs program on its own, but taken with the editorial in
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics it might be used as ammunition by
IFPMA and some of the drug companies to weaken the political commitment to
essential drugs programs in some countries. I agree with what Leo
Offerhaus wrote, we should take some proactive action. My vote, at this
point, would be to try and get a Commentary supporting the essential drugs
concept in the Lancet.
Joel Lexchin
121 Walmer Rd., Toronto, Ontario
CANADA M5R 2X8
Phone: (416)-964-7186
Fax: (416)-923-9515