Accumulate entry to to stable, efficient, quality-assured, and more cost effective medicines is serious for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and bettering public neatly being outcomes. A actual Nationwide Medicines Policy (NMP) provides the framework to e-book the law, replacement, supply, and exercise of medicines — ensuring that no person is left at the relief of. It shapes how worldwide locations cherish Ghana organize pharmaceutical companies, from procurement and pricing to rational exercise and native manufacturing, making it a key tool for neatly being methods strengthening.
Ghana’s commitment to ensuring equitable get admission to to stable, efficient, and more cost effective medicines marked a brand current milestone on April 25, 2025, as stakeholders validated overview tools and methodologies for the duration of an engagement with the technical consultant leading the overview of the country’s Nationwide Medicines Policy (NMP).
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), is supporting the overview of the expired 2017 coverage to get particular Ghana’s pharmaceutical and neatly being methods continue to meet the evolving wants of its other folk and plot growth toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
At a validation meeting, WHO offered technical enhance to get particular the tools and methodology guiding the fair overview are tough, entire, and fit for reason. The findings of the overview and corresponding suggestions will uncover the corpulent overview and preparation of a brand current Nationwide Medicines Policy, following the expiration of the 2017 edition.
The 2017 Nationwide Medicines Policy was deeply rooted in the neatly being-linked Sustainable Pattern Dreams (SDGs), in particular SDG 3 on appealing neatly being and neatly-being. It was also aligned with Ghana’s Shared State and Pattern Agenda and nationwide neatly being ideas aimed at bridging equity gaps, bettering healthcare financing, and bettering carrier supply. The coverage targeted on strengthening pharmaceutical governance, bettering procurement methods, institutionalizing customary medication follow, supporting the native pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprise, and promoting rational medication exercise amongst others.
An fair mid-time interval overview conducted in 2021 revealed that virtually half of (47%) of the key coverage parts were on the actual song, whereas about a quarter were at chance or most absorbing partially performed. The overview also recognized serious gaps wanting pressing attention, together with the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration, better public awareness efforts, establishment of functional accountability mechanisms, and continuous monitoring and analysis methods. Importantly, interested by the predominant neatly being methods disruptions attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mid-time interval overview urged extending the coverage’s implementation interval to 2024. This extension offered a chance to totally pursue the coverage’s needs forward of endeavor a entire discontinuance-time interval analysis.
The expiration of the 2017 coverage gives both a project and a chance. This Nationwide Medicines Policy Steering Committee meeting signals the foundation of a sparsely structured and inclusive overview route of that attracts on classes realized, addresses implementation gaps, and aligns with fresh global and nationwide neatly being priorities. WHO’s ongoing enhance will abet Ghana fabricate a resilient medicines coverage framework — one which promotes equitable get admission to to predominant medicines and neatly being technologies, strengthens regulatory methods, and helps the success of Universal Health Coverage.
By working closely with the Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders, WHO reaffirms its commitment to supporting Ghana’s gallop toward a stronger, extra healthy future.
For Additional Files or to Ask Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Nation Office
Electronic mail: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393
