Every year, 289,000 women die from child birth- or pregnancy-related causes, and 5.9 million children die from largely preventable causes, such as pneumonia and malaria. To end preventable child and maternal deaths, medicines and
Every year, 289,000 women die from child birth- or pregnancy-related causes, and 5.9 million children die from largely preventable causes, such as pneumonia and malaria. To end preventable child and maternal deaths, medicines and supplies must be available when and where they are needed without causing financial hardship. This requires a strong pharmaceutical system that ensures the availability of both appropriate medicines and service providers at service delivery points. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which included a focus on decreasing maternal and child mortality, were generally successful. Globally, maternal mortality fell below 45%, and child mortality decreased by 53%. However, only 6 of the 75 project countries were on track to meet the goal of reducing maternal mortality; 25 were on track to meet the required child mortality reductions.
As the MDGs concluded in 2015, countries, donors, and partners launched the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals are more ambitious and comprehensive than the MDGs and will require more focused, systems-strengthening efforts. Maternal, newborn, and chi