Health system response and capacity to address and respond to NCDs
Availability of NCD-related medicines
Situation and trends
The availability of basic medicines required for treatment of NCDs is shown in the figure below.
Particularly striking are the low availability of statins, oral morphine and nicotine replacement therapy. The latter was only available in about 40% of all countries.
Access to essential NCD medicines increased with country income for most types of medicine. Tamoxifen, Statins, oral morphine, nicotine replacement therapy, and Ipratropium bromide were available in less than 1/3 of low income countries.
Appropriate availability and use of essential NCD medicines would significantly reduce mortality and morbidity. Given the limited access and high price in many low and middle income countries, it is imperative to improve availability and affordability of quality and essential NCD medicines.