Barriers to accessing essential medicines for kidney disease in low- and lower middle–income countries|

Essential medicines are defined as those that “satisfy the priority health care needs of the population” and selected with due regard to public health relevance based on their efficacy, safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness.1 They are intended to be accessible within the context of functioning health systems in adequate quantities, in the appropriate dosage forms, with ensured quality and adequate information, and at a price the individual and the community can afford. The World Health Organization calls for “improved access to essential, high-quality, safe, effective and affordable medicines and health products.”2 However, nearly 2 billion people have no access to essential medicines globally, particularly in low-income countries (LICs) and lower middle–income countries (LMICs).