WHO strives for policies and programmes that balance access to essential and controlled medicines for all people in need and minimising misuse or diversion of these medicines. The availability of internationally controlled drugs for medical and scientific purposes remains low to non-existent in many countries and emphasises the need for international collaboration to improve access to these medicines.

The importance of access to controlled medicines for public health has been emphasized in several World Health Assembly Resolutions to improve access to controlled medicines for palliative care, for emergency and essential surgical care and anaesthesia and for epilepsy.

WHO carries out regular reviews of the efficacy and safety of medicines and updates the WHO Model List of Essential medicines accordingly. A number of controlled medicines are included in the WHO Model List and are considered essential for alleviating pain and suffering, enable surgery, treat mental health conditions, support dignified and comfortable end-of-life care, help people to overcome addiction, and to save lives.

WHO collaborates with countries to improve access to medicines, including controlled medicines. Work focuses on monitoring of availability and prices of medicines at health facility level, on forecasting and quantification, on capacity building of prescribers and dispensers, and on the development of balanced policies and legislation.