Global trends in opioid medicine availability

This webinar presented the latest global and regional trends in the use of opioid analgesics and explore issues related to availability.

Around the world the consumption of opioid analgesics has been increasing, yet millions of people still die in pain every year, including children, mostly in poor countries, but also in rural areas in developed countries.

Observing the trends in use of these medications is relevant to determine which medicines are being used and if the international market is distributing mostly newer and less affordable formulations, to determine any changes in the regional patterns of use of specific opioids over time, and to identify impediments to availability and access of patients to proper treatment in different regions and countries.