Essential tobacco dependence medicines in 137 countries.

01 Jun 2021

AIMS

To use a database of national essential medicine lists to determine how many include the three tobacco dependence medicines: nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and bupropion.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study using national essential medicine lists for 137 countries.

RESULTS

Of the 137 countries, 34 listed at least one of the three tobacco dependence medicines included in this analysis. Bupropion was listed by 23 countries, nicotine replacement therapy by 17 countries and varenicline by eight countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco dependence medicines do not appear on the essential medicines lists of most countries.

Resource information

Respiratory conditions
  • Tobacco Dependence
Respiratory topics
  • Risk factor: tobacco - smoking
Type of resource
Peer-reviewed article
Project(s)
  • FRESHAIR4Life
Author(s)
Benipal S, Budhram DR, Bilimoria K, Woods H, Wang R, Persaud N