The objectives of the policy are:

i. To ensure efficient and effective drug management in the public and private sectors;

ii. To ensure access to safe, effective, affordable and good quality drugs at all levels of health care on the basis of health needs;

iii. To promote the rational use of drugs by prescribers, dispensers and consumers;

iv. To increase local drug manufacture/production and promote export;

v. To ensure that all drugs in the national drug distribution system are safe, efficacious, effective and of good quality;

vi. To strengthen administrative, legislative, and regulatory controls of the importation, manufacture, procurement, storage, distribution, supply, sale and use of drugs;

vii. To promote research on herbal remedies and integrate those found to be safe and efficacious into the health care system;

viii. To promote pharmaceutical research and development of raw materials for the production, compounding and formulation of pharmaceutical products, as well as operational research for the effective implementation of the National Drug Policy; and

ix. To enlist government commitment at all levels for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the National Drug Policy.