Global access to medicines : an uphill struggle

Background: The study originated from the authors’ coursework in health technology assessment and rational pharmaceutical policy. Purpose: To respond to the question of whether there is a global problem of access to medications by providing differentiated backgrounds and possible solutions or mitigation strategies for boosting the population’s access to medications. Method: Thematic content analysis (TCA) was performed on paper-based data. Findings: 39 documents were included, including 22 articles, eleven technical reports, two books, one book chapter, and three websites. Drug accessibility issues affect four major categories – essential, innovative, orphan, and highly-priced medicines. Access to these medications is nevertheless hampered for several reasons, including patents; prohibitive costs; fluctuating production; market unprofitability for rare diseases; and delays in innovative treatments, even in developed countries. Conclusion: Efforts to boost drug access should target all sectors – public, private, and non-governmental – and should forge ties with pharmaceutical firms and key health care institutions.