Mobilizing Misoprostol: Exploring Policies and Practices in Refugee, Conflict, Crisis, and Emergency Settings

Abstract

Misoprostol is medication used globally for the prevention and treatment of post-partum hemorrhage, incomplete abortion management, and early induced abortion. The drug is widely recognized as a life-saving commodity in low-resource settings due to its thermostable properties, manageable routes of administration, and cost-effectiveness. Currently, there is limited research regarding misoprostol use in refugee, conflict, crisis, and emergency settings. The purpose of this study is to document policies regarding misoprostol use in crisis settings, clarify the position and alignment of these policies, and understand how policies affect misoprostol use on the ground. Using policy analysis and key informant interviews, this study concludes that misalignment among misoprostol policies and implementation gaps exist. Study recommendations are to integrate misoprostol in updated reproductive health kits, include the drug on the EML for currently excluded indications, map its use in crisis settings, and support relationship building between development and humanitarian sectors for improved programming.