Are countries implementing and updating their national medicines policies?
Questionnaire results showed that countries that have updated their national medicines policy (NMP) within the previous 10 years increased from 49 in 1999 to 57 in 2003, and that 16 countries succeeded in moving from a draft NMP document in 1999, to an official NMP in 2003. But nine countries have still not managed to turn their draft NMP documents into official NMP documents. Implementation is progressing, though – whereas only 40% of countries had developed an NMP implementation plan in 1999, this figure had increased to 52% by 2003. How do we know if NMP implementation is effective? By monitoring levels of access to medicines, and how rationally those medicines are being procured, paid for and used. Questionnaire results have given both cause for optimism, and a strong indication that greater efforts must be made by countries and their international partners to enhance medicines impact for public health. Where are we in terms of access? WHO is tracking the number of countries where
