Supply of essential drugs for church hospitals in Ghana.

Based on the results of an inquiry, answered by 39 out of the 53 rural Church hospitals and clinics in Ghana, a list of 34 indispensable drugs was compiled. At a cost of less than US $600 000 it is possible to provide all Church health institutions (30% of all health facilities in Ghana) with these 34 essential drugs for one year (at 1982 prices). When the drugs are prepacked in Units, distribution can easily be carried out from a very limited number of distribution points, without the need for extensive logistic provisions such as trucks, stores, personnel and security checks.