Asthma is a worldwide public health problem affecting about 300
million people. The majority of persons living with asthma are
in the developing world where there is limited access to
essential drugs. The financial burden for persons living with
asthma and their families, as well as for healthcare systems and
governments, is very high. Inadequate treatment and the high
cost of medications leads to disability, absenteeism and
poverty. Despite the existence of effective asthma medications
and international guidelines, and progress made in the
implementation of such guidelines over the last decade, the high
cost of essential asthma medications remains a major obstacle
for patient access to treatment in developing countries.The
International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease has
evaluated this problem and created an Asthma Drug Facility (ADF)
so that countries can purchase affordable, good quality
essential drugs for asthma. The ADF uses pooled procurement
along with other purchasing and supply strategi