In 2003, the MOPH published a previous version of the National Essential Drug List (EDL) for Afghanistan. The EDL contains all the drugs recommended for use in the BPH, EPHS and the MOPH’s national programs.

Given the quick development and expansion of the health service delivery system in Afghanistan since 2003, including the development of new treatment protocols and updated WHO recommendations for several diseases, the need for updating the EDL became adamant. The MOPH constituted a Review Committee in May 2007, consisting of clinical and pharmaceutical experts from the MOPH, major hospitals, teaching institutes, international agencies, NGOs and the private sector...