Introducing the gender concept in essential drugs policy, as with any other global policy, is difficult but possible.

“Introduction of the feminist vision blurs, doubtless obscures the apparent clarity of the discourse hitherto offered by science, but this new complexity, enshrined in the new theoretical framework of the gender concept should constitute a challenge rather than a pretext to give up.... Changes, developments can only be apprehended by taking into account the interaction of a multitude of parties which should henceforth include men and women.... The gender concept represents a radical theoretical transformation in the sense that it imposes “a revelation of the past as being ideological”. It implies a cognitive break which, while accepting the universality of knowledge in social practice, challenges its existence in the elaboration and practice of knowledge” (Bisilliat, 1996).

Therefore, the frame of reference in which drug policy and action have so far been formulated must be changed. Dualism needs to take the place of the monism of the past. The modest proposals made here are in line with this thinking. That should widen understanding which, make no doubt about it, will certainly help in bringing essential drugs policies closer to the objective of equality.