The major burden of disease related to NCDs cannot be reduced without equitable access to essential medicines. Equitable access to safe essential medicines however is not a given yet, especially , but not exclusively, in low and middle income countries.

Many policy options exist to address this problem and to achieve, for NCDs, the same three main objectives that are valid for any general essential medicines programme: equitable access (rational selection, affordable prices, sustainable financing and reliable systems) assured quality and safety and quality use by prescribers and consumers.