Barriers to accessing internationally controlled essential medicines in sub-saharan Africa: A scoping review

•Lack of knowledge of the public and health workers on controlled medicines.•Low availability, stockouts and unaffordability of the medicines were common.•Lacking quantification systems and cumbersome procurement processes hamper access.•Strict national laws lead to overly restrictive prescription practices.•Important to tackle barriers in Sub-Saharan Africa for this class of drugs together.