Medicines policy

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A national medicine policy identifies the goals of a nation's pharmaceutical sector and outlines how these goals will be achieved. A comprehensive policy should take into account all components of the pharmaceutical sector and all relevant stakeholders. WHO recommends that all countries formulate and implement a comprehensive national medicine policy. This policy provides a common framework to address problems in the pharmaceutical sector – both in the public and the private sector. The policy document should be developed through a systematic process of consultation with all interested parties.

Related link

Medicines policy

WHO list of essential medicines

Statistics and figures

Regional Health Observatory

Average pharmaceutical expenditure: US$ 1141 million

Average pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: US$ 57 

Average density of pharmacists: 5.02 per 10 000 population

Average number of licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers: 52

Average number of registered pharmaceutical products: 7529