A/HRC/23/42 (c) Ensure that the list of National Essential Medicine is arrived at with participation of all stakeholders, including the affected communities, particularly the vulnerable groups. 74. With respect to efficient and transparent procurement and distribution systems, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States: (a) Adopt scientific and evidence-based quantification of essential medicines, ensure competitive bidding, require stringent prequalification for suppliers, monitor delivery of medicines and formulate effective policies to address stock-outs; (b) Increase financial, technical and logistical support to strengthen distribution networks, maintain the quality of medicines in transport and storage and adopt distributor certification programmes. 75. With regard to rational and appropriate use of medicines and their quality, safety and efficacy, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States: (a) Develop and regularly update Standard Treatment Guidelines and ensure adequate training of prescribers as a part of continuing medical education policies; (b) Regulate pharmacies, including online pharmacies, and retailers to ensure appropriate dispensation of medicines; (c) Prohibit unethical commercial marketing and promotion of medicines by pharmaceutical companies through legal accountability measures based on strict penalties and cancellation of manufacturing licences; (d) Ensure transparency of data related to quality, safety and efficacy of medicines, including the mandatory publication of adverse data; (e) Increase budgetary support for national regulators and increase recruitment of inspectors at competitive salaries; (f) Improve South-South cooperation to conduct joint inspections of manufacturing facilities and share information and good practices; (g) Avoid conflation of poor-quality medicines, a quality control issue, with counterfeit medicines, a trade issue. 22