A Short Information Manual on: The Tanzania National Drug Policy, The Master Plan for the Pharmaceutical Sector 1992-2000 Tanzania Mainland - A Summary, Hospital Therapeutic Committees: A. The Tanzania National Drug Policy: 2. Initial Activities

2. Initial Activities

In recognition of the above mentioned problems the Government of Tanzania (GOT), through its Ministry of Health (MOH) has already taken a number of steps in an attempt to rectify and improve the situation. These steps include the following:

1. Full participation in and implementation of the Tanzania Essential Drugs Programme (TEDP) since 1984. This programme is financed through the Royal Danish Government - DANIDA. Until 1991 UNICEF also participated in its implementation.

The programme has focused on the provision of drugs and drug logistics. Information materials such as the Tanzania National Formulary (TNF) and the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) are being developed through the programme, partly with the support of WHO.

2. The endorsement in 1991 of the first National Drug Policy (NDP), which should serve as the basis for future planning of pharmaceutical services.

3. Resulting from the NDP was the preparation and adoption of the Masterplan for the Pharmaceutical Sector 1992-2000, which sets out clearly the objectives, strategies, time-lines and budgets necessary to achieve a coordinated development in the various key areas of the pharmaceutical sector.

A summary of the Masterplan forms part of this brochure.

4. A thorough revision of the Pharmaceuticals and Poisons Act 1978 (No.9 of 1978) is being carried out. The new Act is expected to come into force by the end of 1993. Thus a new legal instrument for the control by the Pharmacy Board of pharmaceutical activities in the country will be available.

5. With the adoption of the National Essential Drug List of Tanzania (NEDLJT) and of the policy of generic drug prescribing and dispensing, some important components of the NDP have already been introduced.

The NDP is the future reference guide to all developments in the national pharmaceutical sector. All its components - of which some are already mentioned - are unified under the comprehensive statements of the NDP-document. For that matter and as a gesture of the commitment of the Government to achieve the objectives of the NDP, it will hereby be made available to all health providers.