The countries in the region have updated their Essential Medicines lists; supply chain management systems have improved to be more effective and reliable. Certain persisting inadequacies are yet to be addressed: Out-of-pocket spending -- including on essential medicines -- remains high. First, countries keep their Essential Medicines List (EML) and medicines policy current. Third, generating high-quality information on access to essential medicines within the countries so that the problems may be better addressed. A healthier, more equitable and sustainable South-East Asia Region can be ours.

Source: Bangkok Post August 25, 2017 23:48 UTC