Availability, cost and affordability of essential medicines for smoking cessation in low-income and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study.
cross_sectional · Level IV
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39900489.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1136/thorax-2024-222391 and PMC identifier 12015041.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Smoking cessation is more effective when supported by medicines. Data on the availability, cost and affordability of these treatments in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) are limited. Cross-sectional data for smoking cessation medications were collected from pharmacies, healthcare facilities and central medicine stores in 60 LMIC (2022-2023). Medications had varying availability, large price ranges and were essentially unaffordable. Enabling access to these medications is important in reducing tobacco consumption and associated disease. Strategies for integrating smoking cessation services into health systems are needed to reach Sustainable Development Goal targets.
Medical subject headings
- Smoking Cessation
- Developing Countries
- Smoking Cessation Agents
- Drugs, Essential
- Health Services Accessibility
- Drug Costs