The availability, cost, and affordability of essential medicines for asthma and COPD in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause a considerable burden of morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines is variable. We aimed to review the existing literature relating to the availability, cost, and affordability of WHO's essential medicines for asthma and COPD in LMICs.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was done by searching seven databases to identify research articles published between Jan 1, 2010, and June 30, 2022. Studies on named essential medicines for asthma and COPD in LMICs were included and review articles were excluded. Two authors (MS and HT) screened and extracted data independently, and assessed bias

SUBMITTER: Stolbrink M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9638033 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature