Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines

The mission of the Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines of the World Health Organization is "to help save lives and improve health by closing the huge gap between the potential that essential drugs have to offer and the reality that for millions of people -- particularly the poor and disadvantaged -- medicines are unavailable, unaffordable, unsafe or improperly used."

The EDM provides "global guidance on essential drugs and medicines, and working with countries -- at their request -- to implement national drug policies to ensure equity of access to essential drugs, drug quality and safety, and rational use of drugs."

Famous quotes containing the words department of, department, essential, drugs and/or medicines:

    ... the Department of Justice is committed to asking one central question of everything we do: What is the right thing to do? Now that can produce debate, and I want it to be spirited debate. I want the lawyers of America to be able to call me and tell me: Janet, have you lost your mind?
    Janet Wood Reno (b. 1938)

    “Which is more important to you, your field or your children?” the department head asked. She replied, “That’s like asking me if I could walk better if you amputated my right leg or my left leg.”
    —Anonymous Parent. As quoted in Women and the Work Family Dilemma, by Deborah J. Swiss and Judith P. Walker, ch. 2 (1993)

    The essential function of art is moral.... But a passionate, implicit morality, not didactic. A morality which changes the blood, rather than the mind.
    —D.H. (David Herbert)

    If we became students of Malcolm X, we would not have young black men out there killing each other like they’re killing each other now. Young black men would not be impregnating young black women at the rate going on now. We’d not have the drugs we have now, or the alcoholism.
    Spike Lee (b. 1956)

    I am bewitched with the rogue’s company. If the rascal have not given me medicines to make me love him, I’ll be hanged. It could not be else, I have drunk medicines.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)