Resolution WHA68.15. Strengthening emergency and essential surgical care and anaesthesia as a component of universal health coverage

Noting the importance of analgesia in surgery and anaesthesia, and that a large proportion of the global population has limited access to opioid analgesics for pain relief; that patients with moderate and severe pain often do not receive the treatment they need; that 5500 million people (83% of the world’s population) live in countries with low to non-existent access to analgesics; that 250 million (4%) have moderate access; that 460 million (7%) have adequate access; and that insufficient data are available for 430 million people (7%);

Recognizing that balanced policies and regulations for improving access to controlled medicines, while preventing their misuse, have been successfully implemented in a number of countries;

Emphasizing the need for Member States,1 with the support of the Secretariat, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Narcotics Control Board, to ensure that efforts to prevent diversion and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under international control, pursuant to the United Nations international drug control conventions, do not result in inappropriate regulatory barriers to medical access to such medicines;

Recalling resolution WHA67.19 on strengthening of palliative care as a component of comprehensive care throughout the life course, which urges Member States to promote collaborative action to ensure adequate supply of essential medicines in palliative care, and requests the Director General to explore ways to increase the availability and accessibility of medicines used in palliative care through consultation with Member States, relevant networks and civil society, as well as other international stakeholders, as appropriate;

1. Urges member states: (…)

(4)   to promote access to essential medicines, including controlled medicines, antibiotics, medical devices and diagnostics used in anaesthesiology and surgery that are of quality, safe, efficacious and affordable, and that are used responsibly and appropriately and that are in line with WHO guidelines;

2. Requests the Director-General: (…)

(7)  to support Member States1 in the development and implementation of policies and regulations for ensuring access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable essential medicines, including controlled medicines for pain management, medical devices and diagnostics that are used in emergency and essential surgical care and anaesthesia;