🌍 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:
📊 Price variation: After adjusting for purchasing power, Lebanon’s prices were just 18% of Germany’s, while Argentina’s were 5.8x higher.
💰 Richer vs poorer countries: Nominal prices were higher in wealthy nations, but once adjusted for purchasing power, real prices were higher in poorer countries.
🏥 Affordability gap: Medicines like amoxicillin and ibuprofen cost less than 1.2 days’ minimum wage globally, but treatments like paclitaxel for cancer required up to 40 days’ wages in lower-middle–income countries.
🌐 Regional inequities: Affordability was highest in Europe & Western Pacific, and lowest in Africa & Southeast Asia.
🔑 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.
