Variation in the availability and cost of essential medicines for non-communicable diseases in Uganda : A descriptive time series analysis

BACKGROUND: Availability of essential medicines for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is poor in low- and middle-income countries. Availability and cost are conventionally assessed using cross-sectional data. However, these characteristics may vary over time.

METHODS: We carried out a prospective, descriptive analysis of the availability and cost of essential medicines in 23 Ugandan health facilities over a five-week period. We surveyed facility pharmacies in-person up to five times, recording availability and cost of 19 essential medicines for NCDs and four essential medicines for communicable diseases.

RESULTS: Availability of medicines varied substantially over time, especially among public facilities. Among private-for-profit facilities, the cost of the same medicine varied from week to week. Private-not-for-profit facilities experienced less dramatic fluctuations in price.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is a need for standardized, continuous monitoring to better characterize the availability and cost of essential medicines, understand demand for these medicines, and reduce uncertainty for patients.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:15

Enthalten in:

PloS one - 15(2020), 12 vom: 23., Seite e0241555

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Armstrong-Hough, Mari [VerfasserIn]
Sharma, Srish [VerfasserIn]
Kishore, Sandeep P [VerfasserIn]
Akiteng, Ann R [VerfasserIn]
Schwartz, Jeremy I [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Drugs, Essential
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 11.01.2021

Date Revised 11.01.2021

published: Electronic-eCollection

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1371/journal.pone.0241555

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM319265528