43. Giacaman, R., Jamjoum, L. Supply of Pharmaceuticals in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. UNICEF, 1993, 56 pp.

A statistical report of pharmaceutical supplies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip was compiled from local pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, the government and UNRWA.

The estimated retail value of the private sector (not including government and UNRWA) is 55 million US dollars. An estimated total of 25 million packages were supplied by all sectors during 1991. Antibiotics were the most commonly used type of medication, followed by analgesics, skin products, nutrition supplements, NSAIDs and cough/cold remedies.

Areas of major concern are:
- The presence of a large number of brand and generic products, at least five times more than that recommended by WHO in its model list of essential drugs.
- 49% of brand medications are fixed-dose combinations which are not usually recommended by WHO.
- The presence of some medications which are banned and considered dangerous in different parts of the world such as dipyrone, quinolines, opiates and antimotility medications, furazolidone, chloramphenicol and butazones.

The authors suggest that a strategy to promote rational use of medications include development of a local essential drug list, professional and public education concerning rational drug use.