  There is a need to
ensure access to controlled medicine such as sedatives
and analgesics for intubation protocols
for the treatment of patients with covid-19. - A.M. Costa Rica wire services illustrative photo. |
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 Published Tuesday, August 18, 2020 Governments
must ensure access
to medicine during the pandemic By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) made a call on Monday to governments to ensure that the procurement and supply of controlled medicine in countries meet the needs of patients, both those who have covid-19 and those who require internationally controlled medicine for other medical conditions. According to WHO, there is a need to ensure access to controlled medicine such as sedatives and analgesics for intubation protocols for the treatment of patients with covid-19. Non-covid patients continue to require controlled medicine for the management of pain and palliative care, surgical care and anaesthesia, mental health and neurological conditions, and for the treatment of drug use disorders, they said. "It is important to remember the needs of existing patients who require controlled medicines for the management of these health conditions,” WHO said in its statement. "These patients faced barriers to accessing controlled medicines before the covid-19 pandemic." According to WHO, the pandemic has further resulted in interruptions of the medical supply chain, and it is critical that access to essential health services and medications not be forgotten or de-prioritized during this pandemic. As the pandemic increasingly affects countries with under-resourced health infrastructure and services, it is an ethical imperative to ensure that all people in all countries of the world are able to access essential medicines. "This includes those medicines that are under international control," the organization said. The supply chain is the foundation of quality medical care because, without the necessary supplies, including essential controlled medicines, patients will suffer, WHO said. ---------------------- What have you heard about the shortage of medicine in your country? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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