Review of global assistive product prices across 12 countries shows lower income linked to higher financial burden
This publication is a price review that examined a collection of global price data for 120 assistive products selected from an initial list of 300 products prioritized by the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Assistive Technology. The study setting included 12 countries representing a range of income levels and geographic regions. The primary outcome involved the classification of assistive products into five Gross Domestic Product-standardized price ranges. The authors synthesized findings regarding data coverage and affordability across these diverse settings.
The main results demonstrated an inverse relationship between national income level and affordability. Specifically, lower income was associated with greater financial burden for patients requiring these assistive technologies. This finding highlights the economic disparities that exist globally regarding access to essential health products.
Data coverage by country varied substantially. In eight countries, data covered over 75% of products; in the remaining four countries, coverage was below 50%. The authors noted that in four countries, data coverage was below 50% due to challenges such as limited supplier access or time constraints. These limitations affect the completeness of the price data available for analysis.
The review contributed essential evidence to the APL update. While the study provides important insights into global pricing trends, the authors acknowledge that data coverage was incomplete in some regions. The findings suggest that financial burden is a critical barrier in lower-income settings.
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