Of the world's five billion people, 75% of whom live in developing countries, 25-50% have little or no access to basic pharmaceuticals. To ensure an adequate supply of safe and effective drugs of good quality, a national drug policy (NDP) should be incorporated into the national health policy. Elements of a NDP include: identification of therapeutic needs; objective selection of essential drugs; drug supply and distribution system; effective legislation and regulation; quality assurance; manpower development; and dissemination of drug-related information. Drug availability does not ensure their rational prescribing or dispensing or appropriate patient use. It is proposed that a flexible multi-disciplinary curriculum be established for healthcare professionals and students and public policy formulators to provide instruction in NDP elements and the principles of rational drug use. Such courses may stimulate multi-disciplinary drug-related scholarly activities.
