Expert Group Meeting on
Defined Daily Doses and Consumption Benchmarking
for Psychotropic Substances
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VIENNA, 14 October - From 12 to 14 October 2016, the INCB brought together nine independent experts from academia and the international community to discuss statistical defined daily doses (S-DDD) of selected psychotropic substances and explore the feasibility for benchmarking their consumption. Board Member Prof. Wei Hao and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on
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Based on a preliminary analysis conducted on behalf of the Board by Prof. Hannes Karl Enlund, current levels of statistical daily doses for some psychotropic substances were evaluated. Where S-DDDs were found to be different from recommended dosages and global prescription practices, adjustments were suggested. Participants of the expert group meeting also discussed potential methods for benchmarking the consumption of psychotropic substances and identified a number of challenges.
Participants identified various possible ways forward and agreed that continuing efforts are necessary to advance the analysis of consumption levels of psychotropic substances in order to assist Member States in ensuring adequate access of their populations to psychotropic medicines.
The recommendations of the expert group would be tabled for the consideration of the Board at its 117th session to be held from 1 to 18 November 2016.
The expert group meeting is part of the regular work of INCB and was cost-shared under the Board's Learning project.