Of the specific types of support that WHO provides to countries, three involve projects and activities at country level, while a fourth focuses on intercountry, subregional, regional, and interregional programmes and activities (Figure 7).

Evidently, over time, support to countries may shift. For example, specific technical support to a country (type B) may evolve into a comprehensive programme (type C), or vice-versa. In view of WHO's increasing focus on regional and subregional activities, some pharmaceutical technical support to countries (type B) is being shifted to intercountry programmes (type IC), in the form of regional funds. These are managed jointly by the regional adviser and EDM's regional focal point.

WHO's human and financial resources are limited, however. Criteria for country presence are therefore extensive and cover:

• severity of country need
• country's level of development
• potential for success of proposed activities
• potential for sustainable impact of proposed activities
• demonstration or development value of proposed activities
• opportune timing (for example, resources are available or political commitment is strong)
• cost-effectiveness
• funding opportunities
• support to the pharmaceutical sector provided by other agencies or organizations.

Figure 7: WHO pharmaceutical support to countries and regions is adapted according to national and regional need