In many countries, the national drug policy defines public policy relating to the pharmaceutical sector, including regulation. However, of the 10 countries studied, only four (Australia, the Netherlands, Uganda, Zimbabwe) have a written national drug policy document.
Countries nevertheless spell out their policy intentions in their drug legislation, or incorporate their pharmaceutical policy into national planning documents. For example, Tunisia’s national pharmaceutical policy is incorporated into its five-year economic development plan. In Malaysia, drug legislation and regulations and a system for selection, procurement and distribution of essential drugs all serve to describe that country’s policy regarding the pharmaceutical sector.