Briefing Note: Palliative Care in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Issue:
Urgent need to increase system-wide access to internationally controlled essential medicines (ICEMs) for patient care in response to the COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic.
Background:
Health systems require adequate supplies of internationally controlled essential medicines (ICEMs) to manage the pain and symptoms of COVID-19 patients, many of whom will also need palliative care. Pre-pandemic estimates of ICEM availability noted that 80% of the world’s population, the majority in low- and middle-income countries, lack effective access to ICEMs. Major hospitals in the US and European region are now reporting dangerous shortages and have requested governments to increase procurement. This Briefing Note recommends urgent action to improve access to ICEMs in all healthcare systems for the duration of the current pandemic and beyond.