Regulatory information reflecting the manufacturing status and provenance of imported medicines, such as that provided through the WHO Certification Scheme on the quality of pharmaceutical products moving in international commerce, is essential but will only be of use if the drugs are approved for marketing in the country of origin. Developing countries should also evaluate their own particular needs and standards in relation to the national and international situation. International open tenders may seem to offer the advantage of favouring competition and increasing the possibility of access to essential drugs by lowering the price, but the principal drawback to this option is that quality is not always given the priority it deserves over cost considerations.