Essential Drugs Monitor No. 032 (2003): 25 years of essential medicines: events around the world

Essential Drugs Monitor No. 032 (2003)
(2003; 48 pages) [French] [Spanish]

Table of Contents

	EDITORIAL - 25 years of essential medicines progress
	ANNIVERSARY ISSUE - Improving drug regulation
	Drug pricing survey in KwaZulu-Natal
	Reducing costs through regional pooled procurement
	Dispensing prescribers - a threat to appropriate medicines use?
	Drug and therapeutics committees: vehicles for improving rational drug use
	Announcing ICIUM 2004
	Access to essential medicines: a global necessity
	Memories of the First Expert Committee Meeting and celebrating 25 years later
	25 years of essential medicines: events around the world
	Personal reflections on 25 years of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
	Drug utilization in Latin America - the example of DURG-LA
	Global TB Drug Facility: improving access to TB drugs
	Demystifying antiretroviral therapy in resource-poor settings
	CBIA: improving the quality of self-medication through mothers’ active learning
	Indian hospital drug use study shows need to improve prescribing
	WHO’s new Model Formulary - promoting consumer rights and patient safety

25 years of essential medicines: events around the world

In Geneva on the 21st October 2002, the 25th anniversary of WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines was marked by a day of debate led by international experts. Discussions focused on many aspects of what the List and the essential medicines concept mean to improving public health. One highlight was the keynote speech by WHO’s Director-General, reinforcing the message of the concept’s continuing relevance (see p 12). But celebrations in Switzerland were being mirrored around the world, and here we mention just some of these memorable events.

Nicaragua’s birthday cake. A celebration for the WHO and Nicaraguan Essential Drugs Lists and the country’s Essential Drugs Programme was held in Managua - one of the many popular events worldwide marking this important anniversary

The Christian Medical Association of India organized a press conference on the 25th October 2002, in New Delhi, to celebrate the anniversary. The Community Health Medicinal Unit of Patna “joined hands with WHO” by holding a two-day media orientation and awareness seminar on essential drugs and rational use of drugs. In Calcutta, West Bengal, the Community Development Medicinal Unit hosted a Commemorative Panel Discussion, which attracted an enthusiastic audience of doctors and pharmacists. And at the Mumbai International Training Course on Drug and Therapeutics Committees, an evening was devoted to a talk on 25 years of essential medicines.

“Twenty-five years is a long time for successful implementation of a programme. Yet, the problem of providing equitable and affordable access to safe, effective and quality-assured drugs to people around the world is so vast and so complex that the journey remains far from finished.”

Community Development Medicinal Unit, West Bengal, India.

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the first day of the 3^rd International Seminar on Access to Medicines Fundamental Role of the State, a special session was held to commemorate the anniversary. Eighty participants from 18 countries were unanimous in recognising the universality and increased relevance of the essential medicines concept today.

Russia’s Pharmaceutical Newsletter featured a special article, “The purpose - ensuring access to medicines, to celebrate the jubilee, and the 12^th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines”.

See above for more about events in Cambodia.

Further information is available at: http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/par/anniversary.shtml