According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the distribution of morphine across the globe is highly unequal, resulting in millions of people suffering from untreated pain. This issue has raised concerns among policy-makers, especially in the context of end-of-life care, where effective pain management is crucial.
The report revealed that the majority of morphine is concentrated in the Americas, predominantly in North America, accounting for over 80% of global distribution. High-income countries had a median estimated defined daily dose (DDD) of 125.9 DDD per million people per day, compared to 24.9 for upper-middle-income countries, 6.7 for lower-middle-income nations, and only 2.0 DDD in low-income countries.
WHO assistant director general for medicines and health products, Yukiko Nakatani, expressed concern about the global lack of access to opioids such as morphine, stating that it leads to preventable pain suffering for millions of individuals. She emphasized that opioid abuse and the insufficient availability of opioids are becoming crises worldwide.
The report indicated that a significant percentage of people in low-income and lower-middle-income countries do not receive morphine despite medical need. Approximately 50% of individuals in low-income countries and 18% in lower-middle-income countries reported that at least 8 out of 10 people requiring morphine did not have access to it.
The authors of the report identified multiple reasons for this disparity, including the limited availability of the drug, the stigma surrounding morphine, and restrictive legislative policies related to opioid use. However, they stressed that the potential dangers of drugs like morphine should not overshadow the benefits when used appropriately and under the guidance of trained professionals.
To address this issue, the authors recommended several actions that countries can take, including making morphine more affordable, expanding access to the drug, and establishing distribution centers.
In conclusion, the WHO report highlights the unequal distribution of morphine worldwide and the resulting high levels of untreated pain. The authors urge policy-makers and governments to take action to alleviate this disparity and ensure that individuals in need receive proper pain management.
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