WHO Regional Office for Europe provides technical assistance to Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan on the rational use of drugs

On 23–29 March 2011, Dr. V.S Shoukhov, a WHO Consultant provided technical assistance on the introduction and support for the rational use of drugs in Turkmenistan. During the mission, course work with specialists of the State Centre on Drugs Registration was completed as part of the next step of the National Drug Formulary development. An expanded meeting of the National Drug Formulary Committee members along with WHO representatives was conducted on 25 March 2011. A range of issues including a report of the Working Group on National Drug Formulary development, a draft document and an action plan for publishing a document were discussed during the meeting.

The next stage for this project implementation will be a working visit of the WHO Consultant in early May 2011. It is expected that the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry will issue an Order on the introduction of the National Drug Formulary into medical practice and medical education in Turkmenistan. Related documents regulating the presence of the National Drug Formulary as the principal document for health are also expected to be issued.