The world is moving away from medications: researchers have reported a decline in the use of essential drugs.

A new study by researchers has revealed that essential medications for preventing further heart issues in individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are underutilized worldwide. The researchers tracked over 11,000 CVD patients from 17 countries over a span of 12 years and found that medication usage remains low and shows little improvement, as reported by the American College of Cardiology.

This trend raises concerns that the global targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) for reducing mortality from cardiovascular diseases may not be met. Secondary prevention of CVD helps patients avoid future heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure through lifestyle changes and medication adherence.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and led by Dr. Philip Joseph from the Population Health Research Institute in Canada, indicated that medication usage varies based on a country's income level.

In high-income countries, medication usage decreased from 88.8% to 77.3%. In upper-middle-income countries, it increased from 55% to 61.1%. Lower-middle-income countries experienced a slight peak before the rate fell to 13.4%, while low-income countries initially saw an increase, followed by a decline to 27.5%.

Dr. Joseph warned that the majority of people with CVD are still either untreated or inadequately treated. Dr. Harlan M. Krumholz from Yale School of Medicine described the findings as unacceptable, stating that vital and accessible medications are simply not reaching many patients. The study suggests that healthcare system issues, economic barriers, and limited awareness contribute to the low medication usage rates.

Another concern is that medication usage has declined over time, even in wealthier nations. The authors of the study believe that financial difficulties, access to healthcare, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role. The study only included 17 countries, which is a limitation, but the results still highlight the relevance of this global issue. Experts propose potential solutions such as increasing medication accessibility, improving healthcare policies, and utilizing digital tools like mobile applications to enhance patient support and awareness.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that may affect your health. If you are experiencing issues, please consult a specialist.