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Till date, no separate Pharma Policy has been designed and implemented. We have
formulated the National Health policy with an objective of providing the essential health care
services to all the rural parts of the Nepal and this health policy also talks about the supply and
production of the essential drugs in the country. To achieve this, we have formulated the
National Drug Policy, which aims basically at making the nation self sufficient in the production
of the essential drugs. Monitoring and evaluation of progress made in implementation of
National Drug Policy was done twice. To improve the educational sector in pharmacy and to
regulate the pharmaceutical issues, we have formulated the Nepal pharmacy Council Act which
guides for the formation of Drug Advisory Board and Drug Advisory Committee. To make ease
the formation of the regulations of the Inspection and pharmaceutical Industry, we have formed
the Drug Act which eventually lead to the formation of Department of Drug Administration and
to assist it the National Medicines Laboratories. Brach offices of Department of Drug
Administration established in three regions of the country. National List of Essential Drugs
published in 1986 and revised in 1992, was revised in 1997 and 2002 and list was further
classified for district, primary health care centre, health post, sub-health post and primary
treatment level. Good Manufacturing Practices as per WHO guidelines was made compulsory for
registration of medicine. Eight custom points were identified for the importation of drugs. Drug
Information Network of Nepal was established and made functional. Nepalese National
Formulary was published in 1997. National Guidelines for Use of Pharmaceuticals for clinical
trial developed by Nepal Health Research Council.
We are still far in the good policy making sector and lot has to be improved especially in
the formulation of the plans to improve the Research and Development sector and production of
the vaccines, parenterals and biotechnological products. Also the drafted policy has also not been
implemented correctly. (discussed in PART II). A lot stress is still required for the good
inspection and control of the price and quality. Special focus has to be given to discard the
differences in the foreign policy and make it assessable for our drug products to get exported and
reach the International market The following section (PART-II) deals with the problems and
critical analysis of the major policies related to the pharmaceutical sector that needs to get
revised.
