WHO guideline on balanced national controlled medicines policies to ensure medical access and safety: rapid communication

Purpose of the guideline:

The purpose of this guideline is to assist WHO Member States and their partners in developing and implementing balanced national controlled medicines policies to ensure their accessibility, availability and affordability for medical and scientific uses and to minimize the risk of harm arising from nonmedical use. The guideline addresses policies for groups (of all ages, from neonates to older people) affected by conditions in which the use of controlled medicines is deemed to be medically appropriate according to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

Scope of the guideline:

Populations The recommendations in this guideline are relevant to policies addressed to groups (of all ages) affected by conditions for which the use of internationally or nationally controlled medicines is deemed to be medically appropriate according to evidence-based guidelines. The guideline includes consideration of the necessity of adapting policies to meet the specific needs for access and safety of patients in various demographic groups, including neonates, children, adolescents, young people, adults and older people. The guideline also includes the needs of vulnerable populations.