Availability and accessibility of opioids for pain and palliative care in Colombia: a survey study

Introduction: Access to essential medicines, including opioids, is a component of the right health.
 Objective: To identify barriers opioid availability and accessibility for pain palliative care.
 Methods: Online survey with Colombian prescribers. Availability were analyzed each facility (distribution and/or dispensing). Accessibility by type. Descriptive analyses conducted using relative frequencies. Significance within categories regions was measured Fisher's exact test.
 Results: Out 1,208 prescribers invited, 806 (66.7%) completed survey. Availability: 76.43% reported barriers. The most cited barrier “Pharmacies authorized health insurance companies”, where opioids are frequently unavailable. Accessibility: 74.6% Most “Difficulty securing payment authorization medication from companies”. Significant differences observed in terms “Cost” (p=0.02). Lack coordination among procuring distributing agencies affects availability. Limited awareness bureaucratic procedures affect accessibility.
 Conclusions: There access Colombia, related existing structure guaranteeing equitable supply. From perspective healthcare providers, problems pharmacy availability, prescription cost medicines hinder treatment.