title: Essential Medicines in National Constitutions: Progress Since 2008.
abstract: A constitutional guarantee of access to essential medicines has been identified as an important indicator of government commitment to the progressive realization of the right to the highest attainable standard of health. The objective of this study was to evaluate provisions on access to essential medicines in national constitutions, to identify comprehensive examples of constitutional text on medicines that can be used as a model for other countries, and to evaluate the evolution of constitutional medicines-related rights since 2008. Relevant articles were selected from an inventory of constitutional texts from WHO member states. References to states' legal obligations under international human rights law were evaluated. Twenty-two constitutions worldwide now oblige governments to protect and/or to fulfill accessibility of, availability of, and/or quality of medicines. Since 2008, state responsibilities to fulfill access to essential medicines have expanded in five constitutions, been maintained in four constitutions, and have regressed in one constitution. Government commitments to essential medicines are an important foundation of health system equity and are included increasingly in state constitutions.
authors: Doctoral candidate in the Global Health Unit, Department of Health Sciences in the University Medical Centre, University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and Research Fellow at the Global Health Law Groningen Research Centre.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Katrina Perehudoff
authors: Associate Professor and Rosalind Franklin Fellow in the Department of International and Constitutional Law, University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and Director of the Global Health Law Groningen Research Centre.
authors: Brigit
authors: B
authors: Toebes
authors: Edin, is Professor of Global Health and the Right to Health, Global Health Unit, Department of Health Sciences in the University Medical Centre, University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and member of the Global Health Law Groningen Research Centre.
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Hogerzeil
mesh_terms: D018954:Drugs, Essential / Q000592:standards*; D014943:Global Health; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D014612:Vaccines; D014944:World Health Organization / Q000458:organization & administration
chemical_list: D018954:Drugs, Essential; D014612:Vaccines