Global Health Asia-Pacific Issue 2 | 2023 | Page 79

electroencephalogram ( EEG ) machines , since illequipped primary care facilities can impede the proper diagnosis of epilepsy . Providing quality healthcare service to epilepsy patients can similarly be hindered by inadequate access to antiseizure medications . A survey involving nearly fifty WHO countries discovered that less than half of pharmacies stocked antiseizure medicines that are part of the WHO essential medicine list , ultimately leading to poorer health outcomes .
Various factors can limit a pharmacy ’ s epilepsy drug capacity , including regulatory setbacks , supply chain disruptions , lack of storage facilities , and varying prescribing patterns . Some countries have seen the unregulated circulation of substandard or counterfeit medicines , which impedes epilepsy care .
Comorbidity factors related to epilepsy The WHO report also notes that half of the epilepsy population is susceptible to physical or mental health conditions associated with poorer health outcomes , increased healthcare needs , declining quality of life , and greater social isolation . Furthermore , depression and anxiety , the comorbid mental health conditions common among people with epilepsy , can increase the risk of seizure , while children with epilepsy exhibit behavioural and cognitive comorbidity .
Stigmatisation of epilepsy Unfortunately , people living with epilepsy can
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