đ New global study on essential medicines
A cross-sectional analysis of 549 WHO-listed essential medicines across 72 markets (87 countries) reveals stark inequalities in drug prices and affordability:
đ Price variation: After adjusting for purchasing power, Lebanonâs prices were just 18% of Germanyâs, while Argentinaâs were 5.8x higher.
đ° Richer vs poorer countries: Nominal prices were higher in wealthy nations, but once adjusted for purchasing power, real prices were higher in poorer countries.
đ„ Affordability gap: Medicines like amoxicillin and ibuprofen cost less than 1.2 daysâ minimum wage globally, but treatments like paclitaxel for cancer required up to 40 daysâ wages in lower-middleâincome countries.
đ Regional inequities: Affordability was highest in Europe & Western Pacific, and lowest in Africa & Southeast Asia.
đ Takeaway: Many low- and middle-income countries face higher real costs for life-saving medicines, creating inequities in access. The findings highlight the urgent need for global strategies on equitable drug pricing and affordability.
