Implementation of principles of pharmacoeconomics and pharmacovigilance to achieve optimal financial and therapeutic benefits through WHO - Essential medicine policy and adoption of NLEM-Based hospital formulary policy

CONTEXT: WHO in its development of the roadmap on access to medicines and vaccines 2019–2023 has emphasized that the greatest challenge in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) stem from persistent barriers to accessing health services and to accessing affordable and quality assured health products. In this context, WHO introduced the concept of essential medicines in 1977, and since then, this concept, has been revised every 2 years and is accepted by many countries as guideline to develop National Drug Policy. The concept emphasizes that all aspects of drug management, including procurement, storage, distribution, and use, are easier if fewer essential medicines/items must be dealt with. Essential Medicines are those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population. AIMS: During 2017-18, based on the principles of Essential Medicines Concept, we decided to develop and implement “Quality Procurement Management Policies’(QPMP) at Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, at Varanasi. The Pharmaco-econmics and Pharmacovigilance tools are also used to further maximize financial and therapeutic benefits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is evidence based, an observational, and retrospective study. Initially, the analysis of current data on sales of antibiotics during November 2017, December 2017, and January 2018, the procurement practices, selection of medicines, and pattern of use was studied and based on these findings reforms were designed and implemented through the Hospital Formulary Committee. RESULTS: This study revealed that- By the application of QPMP, both the Cost and Quality factors of Medication Management can be dealt with very effectively. And it is possible to make available Quality Assured Medicines at most economic prices, resulting in substantial savings. This study has further, shown that the confidence of physicians also improved as quality assured medicines are provided. CONCLUSION: The study at Sir Sundar Lal Hospital is thus worth emulating and shown that a doable roadmap with signposts at each and every turn can be designed and can be effectively implemented so that the goal of UHC can be achieved.