13 June 2016 - Guaranteeing supplies of key drugs may help prevent shortages and ensure better prescribing.

Creating and enforcing an essential medicines list of prescription drugs that Canada commits to supplying at all times could help alleviate drug shortages and improve prescribing practices, doctors say.

Unlike 117 other member countries of the World Health Organization, Canada has no such list.

Norway has kept a list of essential medicines since 1928, and few drug shortages have been reported in that country. Sweden's "wise list" of 200 drugs is trusted by practitioners, who have seen cost savings and improved quality of care because of it, previous research suggests.

For more details, go to: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/essential-medicines-prescription-drugs-1.3632826