UN Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/12/L.23 on access to medicines

The UN Human Rights Council adopted Resolution A/HRC/12/L.23 on access to medicines in the context of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The Resolution does not explicitly address the issue of opioid substitution therapy but as methadone and buprenorphine are included on the essential medicines list of the World Health Organisation, they are clearly within its purview when it states that ‘access to medicine is a fundamental element in achieving progressively the full realisation of the right to everyone of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health’. The Human Rights Council has decided ‘to remain seized of this matter’ and has encouraged the Special Rapporteur to continue his analysis of this issue; all Member States to include this issue as part of the Universal Periodic Reviews; and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene an expert consultation upon the issue.