A Strategy for Promoting Improved Pharmaceutical Use: The International Network for Rational Use of Drugs
Date
1992
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Social Science & Medicine
Abstract
Over the last decade, pharmaceutical selection, procurement, distribution, and financing have
improved as a result of essential drugs programs. However, despite improved availability, pharmaceuticals
are frequently used irrationally. The International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) has
been established to help address this problem. The Network joins core groups of researchers from four
African and three Asian countries with support groups in Boston, Sweden, WHO, and Australia. The
activities of the Network are supported by multilateral, bilateral, foundation donors and by Management
Sciences for Health.
INRUD functions as a participatory organization in which members are involved in decision-making.
The primary objective of the Network is to identify through a coordinated set of country-based research
projects a set of effective interventions to recommend as policy options for the promotion of rational drug
use. In developing these research projects, INRUD stresses the importance of a multi-disciplinary
perspective for adequately understanding the reasons underlying inappropriate use of drugs. To better
enable country groups to utilize strong research methodologies and to blend the strengths of multiple
disciplines effectively, a major activity of the Network thus far has been the building of local research
capacity.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Pharmaceutical use, developing countries, Africa, Asia, prescribing