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Ref.: C.L.31.2022
The World Health Organization (WHO) presents its compliments to Member States and
Associate Members and has the honour to inform them of a study on the access to morphine for
medical use, to be conducted in connection with resolutions adopted by the World Health
Assembly (WHA): WHA67.19 (2014) Strengthening of palliative care as a component of
comprehensive care throughout the life course; WHA67.22 (2014) Access to essential
medicines; and WHA68.15 (2015) Strengthening emergency and essential surgical care and
anaesthesia as a component of universal health coverage, which mandate WHO to improve
access to controlled medicines with established safety and efficacy profiles, including medicines
for the management of pain and palliative care.
In close collaboration with governments, other United Nations agencies, and civil society,
WHO aims to ensure that controlled medicines for the management of pain and palliative care, in
particular morphine, are available worldwide to all patients who need them. However, past
reports have shown that morphine, like many other essential controlled medicines for the
management of pain and palliative care, is not consistently available to meet patient needs
worldwide.
A study on access to morphine for medical use will be conducted with the aim of
understanding the current global situation in this regard. This study will seek to describe the
main barriers and enablers from a health system perspective, and to recommend potential actions
at the global, regional and national level to improve access to morphine for medical use.
A survey of WHO Member States and other stakeholders is a core part of this study, and a
questionnaire has been developed for this purpose. Member States and Associate Members are
invited to collaborate in this process by sharing information through the questionnaire. The
survey invites responses from Member States, policy-makers and health professionals
responsible for the supply and dispensing of morphine for medical use in order to reflect
accurately the situation of access to morphine for medical use in countries. Respondents may
include, but are not limited to, representatives from:
• regulatory and payer agencies
• procurement agencies and public sector wholesalers or distributors
• law enforcement agencies (e.g. customs and border control)
• public sector health services (e.g. inpatient, outpatient, pre-hospital, community-based
care, long-term care, specialized pain management, palliative care)
• academics or consultants providing technical advice to government authorities or
agencies.
C.L.31.2022 Page 2
Where appropriate, multiple responses from representatives of different agencies are
welcomed. Member States and Associate Members are invited to share the survey link with
relevant policy-makers and health professionals directly for the collection of information:
https://extranet.who.int/dataformv3/index.php/157358 (available in the six official languages).
This survey will close on 31 August 2022. Member States and Associate Members are
encouraged to contact the secretariat at
[email protected] for any requests for
clarification or questions.
The World Health Organization takes this opportunity to renew to Member States and
Associate Members the assurance of its highest consideration.
GENEVA, 6 July 2022
Saatja: <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 06.07.2022 18:09
Koopia: <
[email protected]>
Teema: WHO: C.L.31.2022 (Access to morphine for medical use)
Dear Member States of the World Health Organization,Please find attached,
in the six official languages, C.L.31.2022 regarding access to morphine
for medical use.Should you have questions regarding C.L.31.2022 please
send an email to .Best regards,Department of Governing BodiesWorld Health
Organization***DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A
RESPONSE***