Access to mifepristone, misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in eight countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: descriptive analyses of country-level assessments.

Background: Despite their importance in reducing maternal mortality, information on access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is limited.

Methods: A standardized assessment tool measuring access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines included in the WHO essential medicines list (EML) was implemented in eight countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Pakistan, and Somalia) between 2020-2021. The assessment focused on five access measures: 1) the inclusion of medicines in national family planning guidelines; 2) inclusion of medicines in comprehensive abortion care guidelines; 3) inclusion of medicines on national essential medicines lists; 4) medicines registration; and 5) procurement and forecasting of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines.