The author wishes to thank the following individuals for their comments and constructive suggestions in revising this document: C. Verschuur (Programme Genre, Institut Universitaire d’Etudes de Développement, Geneva) and C. Vlassoff (Canadian International development Agency, Hull, Quebec) as well as C. García Moreno (Choice of topics: efficacy, quality, costs, gender parity and ethics, WHO) and G. Baghdadi and G. Velásquez, Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy.