PAHO study highlights challenges in access to hypertension medication in Latin America and the Caribbean

A study by the Pan American Health Organisation has revealed significant barriers in access to essential hypertension medications across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The study said the barriers include outdated essential medicine lists and diffuse procurement practices, adding  that it underscored the need for more standardised antihypertensive medicines to help reduce the cardiovascular disease burden in the region.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the Americas, accounting for over two million deaths annually.