title: The dilemma of essential drugs in primary health care.
abstract: This article describes the evolution of essential drug programmes in eastern Africa from national donor assisted programmes to community-based drug programmes. Problems of the transition towards cost recovery are discussed and greater dialogue between government, donors and communities will be required if real community management is to be commenced.
authors.affiliation: Health Learning Materials Unit, AMREF, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000351:Africa, Eastern; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004470:Economics, Medical; D005252:Fees, Pharmaceutical; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations