The Standard Treatment Guidelines and the National Essential Drug List for Tanzania (NEDLIT) was first printed in 1991. This is the second edition of its kind covering almost every common disease in the country.

It aims at providing all prescribers with a set of treatment guidelines covering most of the common disease conditions found in the country so that prescribing practices can be standardised. This will simplify drug quantification, procurement and supply and achieve better rational therapeutics which is the cardinal aim of all health care systems.

It is meant as a pocket guide for quick reference and its recommendations are valid for most presentations of the conditions covered. Nevertheless, clinical judgment and experience will always be required for adjustment of treatment in individual cases when necessary. This will be done bearing in mind that health care resources are limited and drugs alone are consuming 35 - 45% of the total annual health budget. There is NO excuse for failure in maximising their use through rational prescribing.

NEDLIT retains its purpose of identifying those drugs that are considered essential. They treat the common disease conditions in Tanzania and the exercise for the selection has followed WHO recommendations under Tanzania conditions. Time has come to go beyond selection, procurement, storage and supply. Much as these are very important, the foundation for success of the whole programme hinges on rational drug use. It is the Ministry's policy that all health workers in government, private and NGOs strictly adhere to NEDLIT. All prescribing, purchasing, labelling and dispensing should be by generic names as much as possible.

This version was completed after prolonged consultations with many health workers. My sincere thanks to all those who selflessly and freely gave their time to comment on the numerous drafts.

I would also like to express my appreciation to the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and Pharmaceuticals and Supplies Unit (PSU) for their support and contribution in the preparation of this booklet.

I hope that all health workers will find this book useful in their daily activities.

Hon. Dr Aaron Chiduo (MP)
MINISTER FOR HEALTH