WHO European Region 33d ago

Out-of-pocket payments for medicines are the main drivers of “catastrophic health spending”—that is when people can’t afford meeting basic needs like food, housing or heating. As Boris, 65, says, “If you spend a lot of money on medicines, you’re left with nothing.” Ensuring affordable access to health care—including medicines—is key to Universal Health Coverage (UHC). As part of the UHC Partnership, WHO works with governments to strengthen national health systems so that everyone, everywhere can get the right care, at the right time - without financial hardship.