1. Aziz Jafarov / Richard Laing
Comparative analysis of essential drug lists in four Central Asian Republics.
Aziz Jafarov / Richard Laing

2. Population and health financing in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan

3. Method
Сompares the existing Essential Drug Lists of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan with the WHO Model EDL List.
For the purpose of this analysis, we have combined core and complementary drugs into a single master list.
For this paper a comparative table has been developed and the WHO Model EDL was taken as the standard.

4. Method 1) on the WHO Model EDL 2) From the same therapeutic group
Drugs on national EDLs were classified as being:
1) on the WHO Model EDL
2) From the same therapeutic group
3) Not included on the WHO Model List.
Based on the spreadsheet, summary tables were developed for all the EDLs and the WHO Model List and some of the therapeutic groups in order to compare with the national and the WHO list.

5. Comparative table of EDLs of CAR and WHO Model List SUMMARY

7. Forms and doses

8. Cardiovascular drugs

9. Gastrointestinal drugs

10. Drugs affecting the blood, blood products and plasma

11. Recommendation
Design and conduct in-depth studies to evaluate the selection process in each country of the region and introduce and update the selection process according to the latest developments
Organize meetings at regional level on the EDL concept
Reduce the number of forms and doses in the EDLs
Exclude the column of brand names as alternatives for generic names

12. Conclusion
The number of EDs among the countries, the drugs selected for the national lists, and the excessive number of forms and doses in the lists controversial.
Inclusion of the brand names in a separate column in some of the countries’ EDLs creates room for misinterpretation and for bad procurement practices.
At least some of the selected drugs and the selection process itself require revision.
Local institutions contributed to the process of the development and revision of the lists, and there is knowledge and interest in the ED concept.