Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents

The gastric mucosa produces prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2), crucial in maintaining gastric health. They exert cytoprotective effects, including increasing bicarbonate secretion, releasing protective mucin, reducing gastric acid output, and preventing harmful vasoconstriction. These effects are mediated through various receptors, such as EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...

Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems

Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems

Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...

Pharmacovigilance

Pharmacovigilance

Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

[Governance, organization, and task distribution in family planning in Latin America and the CaribbeanGovernança, organização e distribuição de tarefas no planejamento familiar na América Latina e no Caribe].

Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health·2026

Same author

Mortality and transitions-of-care after COVID-19 hospitalization among US Medicare patients: a retrospective claims analysis.

BMC geriatrics·2026

Same author

Health Transitions and the Rise of Modern Contraceptive Prevalence: Demand, Access, and Choice.

Population and development review·2026

Same author

Comparison of work productivity losses in the United States among employees with COVID-19 at high-risk of severe disease who were untreated or treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.

Journal of medical economics·2025

Same author

A Systematic Literature Review of the Epidemiology of Complicated Urinary Tract Infection.

Infectious diseases and therapy·2025

Same author

Self-care interventions for legal and safe abortions: lessons learned from a woman-centered approach to sexual and reproductive healthcare in Uruguay.

Lancet regional health. Americas·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development

Published on: January 26, 2018

Assessing the global availability of misoprostol.

Maria M Fernandez¹, Francine Coeytaux, Rodolfo Gomez Ponce de León

¹Product Promotion and Distribution Unit, Ipas, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. fernandezm@ipas.org

International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics: the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

|March 17, 2009

Summary

Misoprostol availability is increasing in low-income regions, offering potential to reduce maternal deaths from postpartum hemorrhage and unsafe abortions. Sales data reveal regional shifts in misoprostol and misoprostol-NSAID drug distribution.

More Related Videos

Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

Published on: February 3, 2026

Laparoscopic Non-Mesh Cerclage Pectopexy with Uterine Preservation for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Laparoscopic Non-Mesh Cerclage Pectopexy with Uterine Preservation for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Published on: October 25, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development

Published on: January 26, 2018

Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

Published on: February 3, 2026

Laparoscopic Non-Mesh Cerclage Pectopexy with Uterine Preservation for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Laparoscopic Non-Mesh Cerclage Pectopexy with Uterine Preservation for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Published on: October 25, 2024

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Global Health
Reproductive Medicine

Background:

Misoprostol is crucial for obstetric-gynecologic indications, yet often unregistered for these uses, complicating availability assessments.
Understanding global misoprostol distribution is vital for improving maternal health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the worldwide availability and sales trends of misoprostol from 2002 to 2007.
To identify regional disparities in misoprostol and misoprostol-NSAID combination drug distribution.

Main Methods:

Analysis of annual sales data (weight) and manufacturer prices for misoprostol and misoprostol-NSAID formulations.
Tracking regional and country-specific sales trends and consumer prices for registered medications.

Main Results:

Misoprostol-NSAID combinations dominated global sales (70%), primarily in North America and Western Europe (91%).
Asia showed significant growth in misoprostol-only drug sales, particularly in Bangladesh and India, with diverse low-price brands.
Sales decreased in Latin America but increased in the Middle East-North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, though per capita sales remained low.

Conclusions:

Misoprostol availability is improving in certain low-income regions.
Increased access to misoprostol holds significant potential for reducing maternal mortality, especially from postpartum hemorrhage and unsafe abortions.