E-DRUG: Access to Controlled Medications: Barriers, Measuring Adequacy of Consumption, and Current Developments
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Dear all,
I just published the review `Access to Controlled Medications:
Barriers, Measuring Adequacy of Consumption, and Current Developments'
in the Journal of Illicit Economies and Development, a peer reviewed
journal published by the London School of Economics.
The article is open access and can be accessed here:
[1]https://doi.org/10.31389/jied.59
Best regards,
Willem Scholten
Scholten, W. 2020. Access to Controlled Medications: Barriers,
Measuring Adequacy of Consumption, and Current Developments. Journal of Illicit Economies and Development, 2(1): pp. 10-20. DOI:
[2]https://doi.org/10.31389/jied.59
Abstract: Access to controlled medications is problematic in many
countries, in spite of the objectives of the international substance
control conventions. The review describes barriers for accessing
medications and how to assess the adequacy of opioid analgesic
consumption globally. As current trends in consumption, it discusses
the lack of progress of improving access and the threat of the false
narrative that people who suffer moderate to severe pain are the cause
of an epidemic of opioid intoxications. Finally, it questions the
feasibility of an approach which requires large numbers of
anaesthesiologist for treating chronic pain, and wonders what the
effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on accessibility to controlled
medications will be.
Keywords: Analgesics; Opioids; Pain Management; Health Policy; Needs
Assessment
References
1. https://doi.org/10.31389/jied.59
2. https://doi.org/10.31389/jied.59
3. mailto:wk.scholten@xs4all.nl
Willem Scholten PharmD MPA
Consultant - Medicines and Controlled Substances
Wielsekade 64 3411 AD Lopik, the Netherlands
Willem Scholten <wk.scholten@xs4all.nl>