ABSTRACT
The use of legally purchased drugs is increasing in the developing world at an alarming rate. Traditional healers have used drugs since time immemorial, but the new influx is largely created by the process of medicalization, or the tendency for biomedicine to entice people with the lure of scientifically based medicine. Drugs used for medical cures are a mixed blessing. They are essential to the treatment of many diseases prevalent in developing countries. If used properly, they can bring about enormous improvements in health care. However, there are many problems connected with the control, distribution and cost of drugs in the Third World that people interested in health and development must be aware of. This chapter addresses the following topics related to drug use: (1) the ways in which drugs can be classified; (2) the market control exerted by multinational pharmaceutical companies; (3) the roles of national governments and international organizations; (4) personnel and facilities involved in the distribution of drugs; (5) major drug-related issues, including over-use and misuse, unhealthy and illegal practices, the role of the private and public sectors, drug costs, equity and system integration.
