Selection, pricing and reimbursement

 
Essential medicines are intended to be available in functioning health systems at all times, in appropriate dosage forms, of assured quality, and at prices individuals and the community can afford. Selection of a limited number of essential medicines, taking into consideration national disease burden and clinical need, can lead to improved access through streamlined procurement and distribution of quality-assured medicines, support more rational or appropriate prescribing and use, and lower costs both for health-care systems and for patients.
 
This section of the Toolkit provides information about the selection, pricing and reimbursement of essential medicines and why their availability and affordability is important for functioning health systems, while preventing their diversion as well as the WHO guidelines on pharmaceutical pricing policies and the most recent WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines.

Pricing and Reimbursement

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The pricing of medicines often has implications for its affordability to the general population. Affordability of medicines is an important dimension of accessibility and the high prices of many new medicines are challenging.  Strategies for measuring, monitoring and managing prices are essential for promoting access to medicines. There is not one single approach that suits all systems. However, all systems need to promote equity in access to new products, by ensuring that medical advances are affordable and working with a viable pharmaceutical industry that responds to public health needs.
 
Read more about the Medicines Pricing and Financing on the WHO website.
 
WHO guideline on country pharmaceutical policies