WHO publishes world's first formulary for essential drugs

The World Health Organization (WHO) has marked the 25th anniversary of the publication of its Essential Drugs list by creating the world's first authoritative model formulary.

The WHO Model Formulary presents information on the use, dosage, adverse effects, contraindications and warnings for the 325 basic “essential” medicines that WHO believes every country should make available to its citizens. It also crams important information on prescribing and rational drug use into a small blue book that fits easily into a pocket.

Dr. Hans Hogerzeil, team coordinator for policy, access and rational use at the WHO Medicines Strategy in Geneva, says the formulary is “based solely on scientific evidence” and is designed primarily to help developing nations create their own essential drug formularies.

The essential-drugs concept is based on the premise that “a limited range of carefully selected essential medicines leads to better health care, better drug management and lower costs,” says Hogerzeil. It is especially useful when humanitarian and emergency aid is needed, and the concept has spread around the world. For developing countries, focusing on specific drugs to ensure access to affordable, “essential” medicines is considered a fundamental mainstay of health care.

The WHO Model Formulary can be viewed at mednet3.who.int/mf/model Formulary.asp. — Alan Cassels, Victoria