Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been involved for several years in generating information on the use of specific drugs in various diseases. Over the past five years, this has been developed as “Model Prescribing Information on the Use of Essential Drugs.” The objectives are twofold: to provide information suitable for incorporation into national formularies, particularly in developing countries; and to lend substance to the claim that the biennially updated WHO Model List of Essential Drugs provides for sound treatment of commonly encountered diseases.
In many situations, however, there are intrinsic difficulties in preparing such information from a global perspective. It must result from a rigorous, broadly-based consultative procedure, it must be attuned to prevailing disease patterns and differences in cultural precepts, and it must be widely disseminated to all health professionals.
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