Gaps in Access to Reproductive Medicines in Eastern Mediterranean
A recent study assessed access to mifepristone, misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in eight Eastern Mediterranean countries, highlighting significant gaps. Despite their critical role in reducing maternal mortality, most countries did not include all WHO essential contraceptives in national guidelines. Only Lebanon and Pakistan had comprehensive family planning guidelines, and only Afghanistan and Lebanon included mifepristone in post-abortion care guidelines. Libya and Somalia lacked regulatory authorities for medicine registration, and while misoprostol was listed and registered in six countries, only three procured it. These findings underscore the need to expand national essential medicines lists and strengthen regulatory and procurement systems to improve access to these vital medicines.
Read more: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38835050/