E-DRUG: The World Medicines Situation Report 2011
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[The first chapters of the World Medicines Situation Report 2011 have been
put online by WHO. This is the 3rd edition of the report (earlier versions
of 1988 and 2004). Available online at: http://bit.ly/e28TDq. Recommended
reading for all E-druggers! WB]
The World Medicines Situation Report 2011
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/policy/world_medicines_situation/en/index
.html
[Please fix long URLs if broken - moderator]
The third edition of the World Medicines Situation Report brings together
new data on 24 key topics relating to pharmaceutical production and
consumption, innovation, regulation and safety - in one place.
Topics include selection, procurement, supply management, rational use,
financing and pricing. Cross-cutting chapters cover household medicines use,
access and human rights, good governance, human resources and national
medicines policies.
The chapters released in April 2011 are:
Introduction
Background on past and present efforts to document and improve sharing of
information.
Medicines Prices Availability and Affordability
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/policy/world_medicines_situation/WMS_ch6_
wPricing_v6.pdf
Features data and information from surveys using WHO standard methodology.
Poor medicine availability, particularly in the public sector, is a key
barrier to access to medicines.
Rational Use of Medicines
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/policy/world_medicines_situation/WMS_ch14
_wRational.pdf
Describes the problem of irrational use of medicines and the harmful
consequences in terms of morbidity, mortality and impact to health cost.
This chapter looks at global data, and draws attention to trends in
developing and transitional countries, in both public and private sectors.
Traditional Medicines: Global Situation Issues and Challenges
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/policy/world_medicines_situation/WMS_ch18
_wTraditionalMed.pdf
Describes the use of traditional medicines, including herbal medicines, in
every country around the world. The global market in traditional medicines
is increasing exponentially, although regulatory status varies greatly
between countries.
Access to Controlled Medicines
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/policy/world_medicines_situation/WMS_ch19
_wAccess.pdf
International drug treaties stress that psychotropic and narcotic substances
available must be available for medical and scientific use, even if they are
classified as controlled medicines.
Good Governance
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/policy/world_medicines_situation/WMS_ch20
_wGoodGov.pdf
Reviews the findings of country studies, highlighting weaknesses and
strengths in pharmaceutical systems that can help policy-makers better
understand problems and identify solutions.