1. Background to EDLU 2001
The first and second editions of EDLU were produced in 1991 and 1996 respectively. As with these previous editions which it now supersedes, this new EDLU 2001 is produced with the aim of assisting in making accessible and affordable to the majority of the population those drugs which are necessary for the prevention and treatment of common health problems in the country.
The EDLU lists those essential drugs considered to be most suitable for current use in Uganda. The current WHO model list (11th revision December 1999) was used as a basis for EDLU and modified to suit the requirements of Uganda according to the criteria given in the Foreword by the Honourable Minister of Health, and taking into account available resources and currently applicable clinical practice.
According to the National Drug Policy the EDLU is a ‘primary drug management tool at all levels of the health system’ and is intended to ‘to strengthen and harmonise the essential drugs selection process at national and district levels for both public and private sectors’. The EDLU should be used ‘as a basis for procurement, prescribing and dispensing in the public health system and its use promoted in the private (profit and non-profit) sector’.
Thus it is important to stress that, although the list is designed primarily for public sector use, it is equally appropriate for private sector prescribers who are strongly encouraged to select EDLU drugs whenever possible. Numerous changes have been made to EDLU to bring it into line with currently accepted therapeutic requirements. These are summarised on pages xix-xxvi.
2. Amendment of EDLU 2001
As stated in the Foreword, the EDLU will be subject to constant review and revision. All clinicians should therefore fully familiarise themselves with the contents of the EDLU and continuously evaluate its relevance and appropriateness to their daily work.
Proposals for amendments to EDLU, together with supporting arguments and any available relevant literature, should be forwarded in writing to:
The Chairman
National Drug Authority Committee on Essential Drugs
PO Box 23096, Kampala
Tel: 255665 / 255628 / 347391 / 347392
Fax: 255758
Email nda@imul.com
According to the National Drug Policy, the EDLU is supposed to be revised at least every three years, thus the next edition should be produced by 2004.
In the meantime, any proposals will be discussed by the Committee on Essential Drugs. Agreed amendments to the list will be notified to all prescribers through Ministry of Health circulars as appropriate.
3. Acknowledgements
Preparation of this vital publication would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of my fellow contributing members of the Committee on Essential Drugs who are listed on pages xv-xvi and without the invaluable contributions of the key clinical specialists listed on page xvii. I wish to express my sincere thanks to them all for their time and efforts.
I am also greatly indebted to the Chairman and Executive Secretary / Registrar of NDA for facilitating the completion of this work through the provision of a most suitable and supportive working environment and to the NDA Secretariat staff for their continuous technical and administrative support.
Dr A Lukanga-Ndawula
MB ChB, FRCS(Ed)
Chairman, NDA Committee on Essential Drugs
