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Editorial
. 2010 Nov 19:6:22.
doi: 10.1186/1744-8603-6-22.

Enabling access to new WHO essential medicines: the case for nicotine replacement therapies

Sandeep P Kishore  1 , Asaf Bitton, Alejandro Cravioto, Derek Yach
Affiliations
Editorial

Enabling access to new WHO essential medicines: the case for nicotine replacement therapies

Sandeep P Kishore et al. Global Health. .

Abstract

Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) are powerful tools for the successful treatment of nicotine addiction and tobacco use. The medicines are clinically effective, supported by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and are now World Health Organization-approved essential medicines. Enabling global access to NRT remains a challenge given ongoing confusion and misperceptions about their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and availability with respect to other tobacco control and public health opportunities. In this commentary, we review existing evidence and guidelines to make the case for global access to NRT highlighting the smoker's right to access treatment to sensibly address nicotine addiction.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The concept of essential medicines.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cost-effectiveness (Cost (USD) per DALY averted) of selected health priorities in LMICs, 2006 (adapted from [28].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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