No study has been done to assess the availability of essential drugs in remote facilities. The government, in consultation with the states and relevant agencies, has developed a national essential drugs list comprising over 300 drugs classified for use at the different levels of health care. This list serves as a guide to procuring agencies in central and state governments. The drugs available in India as compared to those in other countries are considered cost effective and there is a price control on 78 essential drugs. Budgetary constraints do come in the way of essential drug availability in the public sector.
Work is in progress to bring out a compendium on the rational use of essential drugs.
International partnerships in health Various international organizations and UN agencies have continued to provide significant technical and material assistance which has had a positive impact.