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WHO’s goal is to help save lives and improve health, partly by ensuring the quality, efficacy, safety and rational use of medicines, particularly for poor and disadvantaged people. Through various projects, WHO/Europe:

• supports countries in developing medicines policies and ensuring that they are implemented, monitored and regularly updated in line with broader health and development objectives;
• on request, supports countries in transition in using public health safeguards in trade-related issues, to improve access to priority medicines;
• promotes and monitors access to essential medicines as a fundamental human right; public investment in medicines research and development, especially for neglected diseases; and ethical practices in the pharmaceutical sector.

One of the priorities in the transition countries is to expand access to essential medicines, particularly for low-income and disadvantaged populations and for the priority diseases HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Greater focus is also being placed on financing, supply systems and quality assurance, where effective work with countries and partnerships with other international organizations, aid agencies and nongovernmental organizations are crucial for achieving sound, sustainable results. WHO/Europe also facilitates networking among European Union countries to exchange information and experience on pricing and reimbursement policies.