Public-private roles in the pharmaceutical sector: Implications for equitable access and rational drug use (WHO/DAP, 1997, 115 p.): 3. Essential state responsibilities: 3.3 Professional standards

Public-private roles in the pharmaceutical sector: Implications for equitable access and rational drug use (WHO/DAP, 1997, 115 p.)

3. Essential state responsibilities

		(introductory text...)
		3.1 Policy-making
		3.2 Drug regulation
		3.3 Professional standards
		3.4 Access to essential drugs
		3.5 Rational drug use

3.3 Professional standards

In addition to ensuring the quality of drugs, the state is also in the best position to ensure the quality of the health professionals who prescribe, administer and dispense drugs to patients. The state, therefore, has a responsibility to maintain adequate and appropriate educational standards for pharmacists, doctors and other health professionals, to ensure through the licensing process that these standards have been met, and to ensure that codes of conduct are developed and implemented. Professional associations or councils generally play a key role in each of these functions.