Building upon the foundations laid by previous UNODC efforts, In 2023-2024, the UNODC programme “Access to controlled medicines while preventing diversion and non-medical use”, implemented a set of activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the support of Belgium, and in partnership with African Palliative Care Association and its national chapter in DRC – Palliafamilli.
In DRC as well as around the globe, despite national and international efforts, there is still evident disparity in access to controlled medicines. The UNODC World Drug Report in 2022 reported a persistent public health crisis across Africa, including the lack of quality and safe essential medicines for the relief of severe pain and suffering, including for anaesthesia, trauma, obstetrics, neurological disorders, and palliative care.
DRC is a country of 99 million people, making it the most populous francophone country in the world, yet a limited number of districts have a palliative care service. The escalating conflict in the region has further destabilized the healthcare system, severely affecting patients including children, who are facing greater challenges in accessing essential medicines. Limited data also hinders progress and development efforts.
In response to this crisis, in its latest project, UNODC supported the development of guidance document titled “Use of Controlled Medicines in Clinical Practice in Africa: Model Guidelines and Reference Tool”, to provide reference guide on safe and effective prescription of controlled medicines for health workers on the use of controlled medicines for various health conditions.
In addition, UNODC together with Pallifamilli, conducted a series of capacity building training sessions in ten different health facilities in Kinshasa, and with participation of 20 health professionals. These interactive sessions were an opportunity to review and improve the process of monitoring the prescription of controlled medicines and to foster the collaboration between various health facilities for efficient and safe use of controlled medicines as well as, to increase the knowledge of health professionals in pain management and the use of opioids.
The efforts expanded to regular monitoring visits to the health facilities with the aim to evaluate the progress made in prescription of controlled medicines.
These set of activities has been crucial in building a better coordination among health professionals for data and knowledge sharing, as well as national stakeholders in improving situation regarding access to controlled medicines. While a process has been made in improving access to and availability of controlled medicines, there is a huge need for further capacity building efforts to ensure no patient left behind.
