Gaps in access to essential medicines and health products for noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions

摘要

In 2019, heads of state pledged to strengthen efforts to address noncommunicable diseases and mental health as part of universal health coverage. They committed to progressively cover 1 billion additional people within four years with essential health services, as well as quality, safe, effective and affordable essential medicines and other health products.1 The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has slowed these efforts and highlighted the vulnerability of people living with noncommunicable diseases and mental, neurological and substance use disorders,2 referred to as mental health conditions.