Table 1.

Components required for the quality use of an essential medicine by health system level

Government/regulatory level	Pharmaceutical supply system level	Health facility level	Health professional level
● Included in the essential medicine list ● Quality–assured medicine licensed for use in country ● Recommended treatment in national standard treatment guideline ● Standard treatment guideline translated into suitable local protocol	● Suitable procurement procedure in place ● Medicine supplied to health care facility	● Woman have access to care (antenatal care or skilled birth attendants) ● Equipment and supplies available for diagnosis of complications and drug storage ● Correct diagnoses are made	● Health providers aware medicine is first–line treatment ● Staff trained to use medicine ● Trained staff available to administer medicine ● Equipment and supplies are available to administer medicine