Ten recommendations to improve use of medicines in developing countries (original) (raw)

Abstract

Inappropriate prescribing reduces the quality of medical care and leads to a waste of resources. To address these problems, a variety of educational and administrative approaches to improve prescribing have been tried. This article reviews the experiences of the last decade in order to identify which interventions have proven effective in developing countries, and suggests a range of policy options for health planners and managers.

Key takeaways

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  1. Implementing standard treatment guidelines (STGs) enhances rational drug use in developing countries.
  2. Establishing essential drug lists (EDLs) based on STGs optimizes drug procurement and distribution.
  3. Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees (PTCs) are essential for monitoring quality drug use in hospitals.
  4. Regular in-service education linked to STGs improves prescribing practices among health professionals.
  5. The text outlines ten actionable recommendations to enhance medicine use in developing countries.

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