In most low- and middle-income countries, access to essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other medical devices for noncommunicable disease treatment and care remains inadequate, increasing health inequities globally. This is amplified for certain marginalised groups, including the economically disadvantaged, rural populations, and ethnic minorities, as well as those impacted by humanitarian emergencies, who often face limited access to medicines, diagnostics, and medical devices due to their unavailability and/or unaffordability. 

Improving access to medicines and medical devices is integral to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), promoting health equity, improving health outcomes, and reducing the global NCD burden.