Availability, cost and affordability of essential medicines for smoking cessation in low-income and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study
Smoking cessation is more effective when supported by medicines. Data on the availability, cost and affordability of these treatments in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) are limited. Cross-sectional data for smoking cessation medications were collected from pharmacies, healthcare facilities and central medicine stores in 60 LMIC (2022-2023). Medications had varying availability, large price ranges and were essentially unaffordable. Enabling access to these medications is important in reducing tobacco consumption and associated disease. Strategies for integrating smoking cessation services into health systems are needed to reach Sustainable Development Goal targets.
Authors
- Marie Stolbrink (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6091-9316)
- Obianuju Beatrice Ozoh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7865-4771)
- David Halpin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2009-4406)
- Rebecca Nightingale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5636-8531)
- Catherine Plum
- Shamanthi Jayasooriya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1147-5744)
- Kevin Mortimer
Institutions
- University of Liverpool (GB)
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (GB)
- University of Lagos (NG)
- University of Exeter (GB)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital (NG)
- MRC Unit the Gambia (GM)
- Medical Research Council (GB)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Thorax
- Published
- 2025-02-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax-2024-222391
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.82
Funders
- Wellcome Trust