Gender and medicines: an international public health perspective

Despite outstanding progress in the area of medicines, their access and use have not been equitable throughout the world. Fifteen percent of the world's population consumes 91% of the world's production of pharmaceuticals. Only one third of the world population has access to essential medicines. Additionally, studies carried out in developing countries reveal that gender-related barriers in access to health services and medicines are greater for women than men because of social and cultural factors. In high-income settings, women are reported to use more medicines than men. Moreover, the current devastating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic impacts women disproportionately. Women are more vulnerable to HIV infection than men biologically but also because of gender inequalities. More social and statistical data, in both developing and developed countries, are needed to fully understand the impact of gender on access to and use of medicines. Improving access to essential medicines will be possible only if countries introduce a gender perspective in their medicine policies.