How to Develop and Implement a National Drug Policy (Second Edition): Part II: Key components of a national drug policy: 7. Supply systems: 7.5 Drug supply in emergency situations

How to Develop and Implement a National Drug Policy (Second Edition)
(2001; 96 pages) [French] [Spanish]

Table of Contents

Contributors
Abbreviations and acronyms
Preface
Part I: How to develop and implement a national drug policy
	1. Introduction
		1.1 Essential drugs are not used to their full potential
		1.2 What is a national drug policy?
		1.3 Key components of a national drug policy
	2. The national drug policy process
		2.1 Overview of the national drug policy process
		2.2 Formulating a national drug policy
		2.3 Implementing a national drug policy
		2.4 Monitoring and evaluation
	3. Legislation
		3.1 Importance of legislation and regulations
		3.2 Framework for drug legislation
		3.3 Developing drug legislation and regulations
Part II: Key components of a national drug policy
	4. Selection of essential drugs
		4.1 Essential drugs
		4.2 Old problems and new challenges
		4.3 Strategies for the selection of essential drugs
		4.4 Traditional and herbal medicines
	5. Affordability
		5.1 Challenges
		5.2 Strategies to increase affordability
	6. Drug financing
		6.1 Challenges
		6.2 Drug financing options
	7. Supply systems
		7.1 Public or private? Or mixed?
		7.2 Drug procurement
		7.3 Local manufacture
		7.4 Distribution strategies
		7.5 Drug supply in emergency situations
	8. Drug regulation
		8.1 Need for drug regulation and quality assurance
		8.2 Basic requirements for drug regulation
		8.3 Core elements of drug regulation
		8.4 Stepwise approach to drug registration
		8.5 Quality
		8.6 Safety
		8.7 Efficacy
		8.8 Information and drug promotion
		8.9 Information exchange with WHO and with other agencies
	9. Rational use of drugs
		9.1 Why is it important to promote rational use?
		9.2 Challenges
		9.3 Planning for activities to promote rational use of drugs
		9.4 Core strategies to improve drug use
		9.5 Educational strategies
		9.6 Managerial strategies to promote rational drug use
		9.7 Regulatory strategies to promote rational drug use
		9.8 Promoting rational drug use in the private sector
	10. Research
		10.1 Introduction
		10.2 Strategies to promote research
	11. Human resources development
		11.1 Introduction
		11.2 Strategies for human resource development
	12. Monitoring and evaluation
		12.1 Monitoring and evaluation are part of a national drug policy
References
Selected WHO publications and documents of related interest
Back cover

7.5 Drug supply in emergency situations

In times of natural or man-made disasters, the world community is usually quick to send large and often unsolicited donations of drugs and medical supplies. Under these circumstances drug donations can be of great help and can save lives, but some drug donations can do more harm than good. Donated drugs may not be adequate for the emergency, their names may be unknown and their labels in the wrong language. They may arrive unsorted, without clear packing lists. They may be close to their expiry date, or consist of large boxes of drug samples and unused drugs that have been returned to the pharmacy.

Guidelines for drug donations

WHO has collaborated with most international humanitarian emergency relief agencies to obtain the maximum benefit from drug donations. They have developed interagency Guidelines for drug donations¹⁷, which are intended as a guide for donors and recipients. The 12 articles of the guidelines are based on the following four core principles:

1. Drug donations should provide for maximum benefit to recipients, and must be based on their needs.

2. Donors should respect the wishes and authority of the recipient country.

3. There should be no double standards in drug quality.

4. Maximum communication between donor and recipient is vital.

The most important practical aspects of the 12 articles are that, as far as possible, drug donations should be based on an expressed need, consist of drugs that are on the list of essential drugs of the recipient country, and have a remaining shelf-life of at least 12 months after arrival in the country.

As part of a national drug policy it is recommended that the government develops and issues national guidelines for drug donations, and communicates these to its main development partners. During an emergency, the government should immediately establish a coordinating body to assess and inform the donors about needs, approve donations, and coordinate their receipt and distribution.

Additional guidelines for donations of single-source (usually patented drugs) are in preparation.⁴¹

New Emergency Health Kit

Large population movements or a sudden influx of refugees may create an immediate need for basic health services. A large group of international agencies active in humanitarian emergency relief has developed a standard kit of essential drugs, supplies and basic equipment, the New Emergency Health Kit. ⁴² This kit contains all that is needed for basic health care in the first phase of an acute emergency, and is kept ready for dispatch within 24 hours by several international suppliers.

Safe disposal of unwanted pharmaceuticals

Some drug donations are never used and ultimately create an environmental problem. WHO, in collaboration with many other organizations, has issued interagency guidelines for the safe disposal of excess stock or unwanted pharmaceuticals in emergency situations.⁴³ The document contains many practical recommendations that may also be useful in other situations.