ESSENTIAL DRUGS AND REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS - THE SRI-LANKAN EXPERIENCE

Many factors influence the regulation of pharmaceuticals in a country. The essential drugs concept, formulated by the World Health Organizat ion to assist developing countries in selecting appropriate drugs, als o provides a basis for regulation. Sri Lanka has long regulated pharma ceuticals as part of its health policy. Over 70% of 3436 pharmaceutica l product registrations were found to be drugs (or alternatives) named in the country's essential drugs list. This is despite the fact that product registrations are mainly for the private health care sector, a nd the list is for the state sector. The essential drugs concept there fore appears to have influenced the pharmaceuticals registered in Sri Lanka.