Nur’s story from Malaysia: family and caregivers
Through Nur's experience, this film highlights the essential role supportive caregivers play in using morphine for medical use, including overcoming fear of using them.
Access to Medicines and Health Products
We work with countries to promote affordable access to quality, safe and effective medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other medical devices.
Safe access to morphine
Morphine is an effective and relatively low-cost medicine for relieving moderate to severe pain. Its medical uses span multiple clinical settings in today's medical practice, including being the most basic requirement for the provision of palliative care. Morphine has been listed as an essential medicine since the first edition of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines in 1977.
Safe and timely access to morphine is important for public health, but access is concerningly inadequate in many countries. WHO is committed to working with stakeholders to improve safe access to morphine and other opioids for medical use in accordance with international conventions and its mandates conferred by the World Health Assembly through various resolutions. In taking actions to improve safe access to morphine, health and human rights must be at the centre of all policies.
Morphine is an essential medicine for relieving moderate to severe pain. It is also essential for treating severe breathlessness that is refractory to...
Short films: stories from those impacted by pain and it’s treatment
The release of these films coincided with the annual observation of Pain Awareness Month in September. These films aim to raise awareness about pain and the importance of having safe access to morphine.
Neil’s story from the United Arab Emirates
In this film, Dr Neil from the United Arab Emirates highlights the importance of supporting healthcare workers through training and engagement to ensure adequate patient pain management.
Uganda’s story on improving access through local production
In 2021, less than 2.5% of morphine produced globally was distributed to low-income and lower-income countries. This film highlights a partnership between Hospice Africa Uganda, National Medical Stores of Uganda, and the Government of Uganda to provide affordable oral liquid morphine for people in need, overcoming some of the supply complexities.
