Equitable access to medicines involves:
- a fair and non-discriminating access to needed medicines for all citizens; fair in the sense of being distributed at a price the individual and the community can afford
- making sure that the essential medicines (those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population ) are available
- affordability for all citizens, especially regarding vulnerable groups (e.g. with increased needs for medicines, low socio-economic status).
Access to health care and therefore to essential medicines is part of the fulfilment of the fundamental right to health. All countries have to work towards the fulfilment of equitable access to health services and commodities, including essential medicines necessary for the prevention and treatment of prevalent diseases.
Synonyms: access to medicine, essential medicines
Last update: 21 June 2024
Source: PPRI