Prices, Availability, And Affordability Of Adult Medicines In 54 Low-income And Middle-income Countries: Evidence Based On A Secondary Analysis

• By: OLDFIELD, Lachlan (The University of Sydney, Australia)
• Co-author(s): Mr Lachlan Oldfield (Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)
  
• Abstract:

  Background Information:
  Essential medicines are fundamental for addressing health needs and achieving high levels of health equity and access worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Action International (HAI) have developed a methodology to survey medicine prices, availability, and affordability across low-income and middle-income countries. This systematic review updates the global perspective on medicine access using this methodology, providing insights critical for policy-making and healthcare planning.
  
  Purpose:
  This study aims to systematically synthesise and update data on the availability, affordability, and pricing of medicines across 57 countries using the WHO/HAI methodology. By comparing these updated findings with previous data, the study seeks to highlight progress and identify ongoing challenges in global health, informing strategies to enhance medicine accessibility and affordability.
  
  Method:
  A comprehensive search across the HAI Essential Medicines Access Database and four academic databases was conducted to identify studies employing the WHO/HAI methodology. A total of 74 surveys spanning 57 countries were included, covering a period from 2003 to 2023. Data extraction focused on availability, affordability, and pricing for a core list of medicines. Meta-analysis was performed on these medicines to compare across different regions and income levels.
  
  Results:
  Preliminary findings, yet to be announced, are expected to reveal significant insights into the current state of medicine availability, affordability, and pricing on a global scale. These results will likely underscore the stark disparities in medicine access between regions and income levels, providing a detailed analysis of progress made and highlighting persistent gaps in global health equity.
  
  Conclusion:
  This study provides an essential update on the global status of medicine accessibility, showcasing the WHO/HAI methodology's role in informing healthcare policies and practices. By identifying areas of improvement and persisting challenges, the research underscores the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to essential medicines worldwide. Future directions include refining data collection methods, expanding survey coverage, and enhancing the affordability and availability of medicines in underserved regions.