Development in the European Union and access to medicines

Abstract

The problem of reduced access to medicines is being increasingly felt throughout Europe including Malta. A country’s National Medicines Policy (NMP) must consider accessibility together with other factor such as affordability, regulation and rational use of medicinal products, financing, and supply and distribution systems. These areas can all be presented within a framework as exemplified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) framework which is the most effective in incorporating NMP components and objectives.1 (World Health Organisation, 2001) The Descriptive Logic Model (DLM) was used as an essential tool to collectively represent relevant framework areas focusing on the entry of a medicinal product in the Maltese market.2,3 Pharmaceutical policy is one of the basic elements of an efficient health service and provides guidance as to the standard of health and pharmaceutical service to be delivered. Pharmaceutical policies may portray an array of aspects within a given health care system. Policies are by their nature dynamic as they consider the past; strategically address current patient needs and project future challenges. Thus strategy and pharmaceutical policy form a dynamic scientific tool which attempts to maximise resources and to provide appropriate pharmaceutical care whilst being able to evolve and adapt to any changes. Throughout the years Europe has increased its collaboration among various stakeholders in order to address health care demands such as an increased need for innovative treatments.