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This was a pilot study to assess the quality of anti-malarials in selected African countries, and to determine whether the quality of these products was related to the level of the distribution chain at which the samples were collected. The data from this study indicate significant problems of substandard anti-malarial products circulating within the drug distribution chains in the African region. It therefore recommends that quality surveillance systems be set up within drug regulatory authorities in the region and that support be given to manufacturers to improve compliance with good manufacturing practices

These guidelines are designed to maximise the benefit of price discounts arrangements for single-source products. They are intended for policy makers and technical staff in international and bilateral agencies active in international health development support, for pharmaeutical companies and for governments and NGOs in recipient countries. It highlights a number of issues that WHO feels need to be considered when planning or negotiating offers of price discounts

Maintaining proper storage conditions for health commodities is vital to ensuring their quality. Product expiration dates are based on ideal storage conditions and protecting product quality until their expiration date is important for serving customers and conserving resources. Guidelines for the Storage of Essential Medicines and Other Health Commodities is a practical reference for those managing or involved in setting up a storeroom or warehouse. The guide contains written directions and clear illustrations on receiving and arranging commodities; special storage conditions; tracking commodities; maintaining the quality of the products; constructing and designing a medical store; waste management; and resources. It was written to meet the needs of district-level facilities; however, the guidelines and information it contains apply to any storage facility, of any size, in any type of environment

This document provides information on WHO's policy and strategy towards traditional medicine. It also highlights key sources of further information

This report consists of a collection of documents presented at this meeting, which was held to develop a framework for monitoring the impact that globalisation and TRIPS are having on access to medicines. The framework was needed to answer four questions: how is patenting affecting drug pricing; how are patents and enhanced intellectual property rights affecting the development of generic drugs; are TRIPS and expanded intellectual property rights spurring the development of drugs for neglected diseases; and are the TRIPS and expanded intellectual property protections contributing to an increase or decrease in transfer of technology and foreign direct investment to developing countries