The term "essential medicines" has been around since 1977 when the World Health Organization (WHO) published a list of 207 medicines it deemed were necessary to fight the global disease burden at the time. Currently, the WHO defines essential medicines as those drugs "that satisify the the priority health care needs of the population." Importantly, the WHO has stipulated that these essential medicines should be available within functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, and at a price the individual and the community can afford. Despite publishing a list of medicines that it considers to be essential, the WHO has also clearly indicated that the concept of essential medicines is intended to be flexible and adaptable and that it is up to each country to to determine exactly what drugs are considered essential in each particular situation. Some of the most well-known medicines such as lidocaine, morphine, aspirin, and ibuprofen are considered essential medicines. Other essential medicines include amoxicillin, azithromycin, and Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim (Bactrim). Nearly all medications to treat HIV/AIDS are also considered essential medicines by the WHO. To learn more about the WHO definition of essential medicines and to find the comprehensive list of essential medicines, go here http://www.who.int/topics/essential_medicines/en/.
What is the current access to essential medicines situation?
Access to these essential medicines is a complicated, multi-dimensional problem. Too often, only the price of the essential medicine is thought to be implicated on whether or not a certain drug is accessible. Though high drug prices certainly impeded access, this fails to take into account other factors which are equally important:
- Do reliable health and supply systems exist to ensure the drug can be procured and distributed? Are there doctors to prescribe and oversee the administration of the drug? Are there pharmacists to dispense the drug?
- Is there sustainable financing to ensure the purchase of the drug?
- Is this the right drug in this particular situation?
- Does the drug exist? Many people throughout the world are affected by the so-called "neglected diseases" for which there is no treatment.
Along with affordable pricing, these barriers to access all contribute to forming the access gap. Currently, only 60% of those suffering from malaria have access to and are able to use correct, affordable, and appropriate treatment (Artemisinin Combination Therapy) within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Despite recent improvement, only 25% of HIV/AIDS patients requiring treatment are actually receiving it.
