Availability, Price, and Affordability of Essential Medicines to Manage Noncommunicable Diseases
A National Survey From Nepal
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13775433 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Saval Khanal (0000-0001-5201-0612, Nepal Health Research and Innovation Foundation, Lalitpur, Nepal, corresponding author), Lennert Veerman (0000-0002-3206-8232, School fo Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, Australia), Margaret Ewen (0000-0003-1177-4717, Health Action International, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Lisa Nissen (0000-0001-5826-4605, Queensland University of Technology), Samantha Hollingworth (The University of Queensland), Samantha A Hollingworth (0000-0002-5226-5663, The University of Queensland) |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 56 |
| Pages | 46958019887572-46958019887572 |
| Publication date | 2019-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0046-9580 • E-ISSN: 1945-7243 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/0046958019887572 |
| PMID | 31823665 |
| OpenAlex | W2994833880 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 25 |
The aim of this study was to evaluate the availability, price, and affordability of essential noncommunicable disease (NCD) medicines in Nepal. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Nepal in 2015 using World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology. We collected data on the availability and price of 60 essential NCD medicines from medicine distribution outlets in both the public and private health care sectors in 6 regions. Essential NCD medicines were more available in the private sector (78%) than the public sector (60%). Furosemide tablets were the cheapest (NPR 0.6/10 tablets) and streptokinase injections were the most expensive (NPR 2200/vial) drugs. There was no significant difference ( P > .05) in availability and affordability of essential NCD medicines across the 6 survey areas. Treating selected NCD conditions with medicines was generally affordable, with 1 month of treatment costing no more than a day's wage of the lowest paid unskilled government worker. The lower availability of NCD medicines in the public sector limits the effectiveness of the government's policy of providing free health services at public facilities. Although NCD medicines were generally affordable, future health policy should aim to ensure improved equitable access to NCD medicines, particularly in public facilities
Business · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Essential medicines · Health care · Traditional medicine · Global Health Care Issues · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
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| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,75 |
| Citation span | 2022 - 2025 (4) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |