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Quality
of care in a health system depends on the sustained availability of
medicines. Consistent and uninterrupted availability of medicines benefits
the patients and provides increased professional satisfaction to the health
professionals. Improving access to essential medicines is a complex
challenge. Access to essential medicines is determined by inescapable factors
such as financing, distribution systems, appropriate dispensing, use of
essential medicines etc.
Sustainable
financing for essential medicines must be viewed in the context of overall
healthcare financing. This can be achieved by increased public funding, cost
sharing with patients, health insurance, donor funding etc. Availability of
essential medicines at affordable prices can be assured through mechanisms
such as price information, price competition, bulk procurement, generic
policies, equitable pricing, reduction or elimination of duties and taxes and
local production of assured quality amongst others.
The
two major components of medicine supply systems: procurement and distribution
are the key factors in ensuring availability of medicines in health
facilities. A reliable and well coordinated supply system ensures that public
funds available for medicine purchases are used effectively to maximize
access. It also ensures timely availability of essential medicines at all
levels of health system at a reasonable cost.
Some
of the initiatives undertaken by the WHO Country Office in collaboration with
the CDSCO and other partners include; Study on Economics Constraints in
Access to Medicines, review of studies on Drug and Pharmaceuticals and development
of training manual on Pharmacoeconomics.
 Reports
Manual
Useful
Links
 Health Action International
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