Affordability of essential medicines: The case of fluoride toothpaste in 78 countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fluoride toothpaste (FT) has recently been included in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. Whereas it is essential for preventing dental caries, its current affordability around the globe remains unclear. This study aimed to analyse the affordability of FT in as many as possible countries worldwide, to capture the extent of variations in FT affordability between high-, middle- and low-income countries.

Methods

A standardized protocol was developed to collect country-specific information about the characteristics of the cheapest available FT at a regular point of purchase. 82 members of the WHO Global Oral Health Network of Chief Dental Officers (CDOs), directors of WHO Collaborative Centres and other oral health experts collected data using mobile phone tec

SUBMITTER: Gkekas A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9581416 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature