Contribution to the issue of essential drugs in Czechoslovakia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ratio represented by essential drugs (EDs) in the total consumption of drugs in Czechoslovakia in 1989. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the assortment and consumption of EDs in 1989. SETTING: Department of the Organization and Management of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bratislava. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Consumption of drugs and/or pharmacotherapeutic groups, expressed by the number of formulations, number of units, and in financial terms. RESULTS: EDs constitute approximately one-third of the total consumption of drugs in Czechoslovakia (both in terms of volume and finances); almost 60 percent of EDs have dosage forms and concentrations identical to those shown in the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Drugs (Sixth List). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained indicate that there is need for a regular updating of the drug policy within the public health branch of the government to more effectively regulate the production and import of drugs.