Regarding the supply of drugs, the endeavor towards strengthening local production capacity was minimal and Drug importation from abroad and it’s distribution within was haphazard and unjust that the majority of the rural community hardly had access to modern drugs. Furthermore, the failure to have a strong system of drugs administration and control has resulted in massive wastage during storage and distribution. Apart from the low administrative and technical capacities to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of all drugs, the control on narcotics, psychotropic drugs and poisons was particularly weak.

Though it is incumbent that drug services should take into account the, social conditions, psychological make up and financial capacity of the society, the indiscriminate practice that prevailed in drug prescription, dispensing, data collection, dissemination of information and promotion, gave way to the rampant existence of a situation in which patients prescribed and self administered thereby jeopardizing their safety.

Since medical equipments in health institutions are mostly old and obsolete problems of maintenance, handling and use exist aggravated by a low standard of technical, managerial and operational capacity.

Accordingly, the issuance of a drug policy, which is part and parcel of the health policy and in line with the transition period charter and the economic policy of Ethiopia, should be given high priority in order to direct the various features of the sector...