| Summary |
Improving access to necessary drugs requires attention to all four component parts of the access equation ensuring rational selection, providing sustainable financing and efficient systems to distribute and use the drugs and making sure that prices are affordable. However, comparing drugs prices across countries and health systems is not always easy. Methodological pitfalls abound, and have in the past ensnared the South African Ministry of Health. The National Drug Policy contains a variety of proposed strategies to reduce the price of medicines in South Africa. This chapter considers the complex issue of drug pricing, the policy options outlined and available, and provides recommendations on steps that will advance the implementation of such policies. |
| More Details |
Introduction
Pursuing equity as a policy goal implies improving access to quality health care. Access may be constrained by many factors, both geographic and economic. Economic factors are usually related to the costs of services. Out-of-pocket expenditure 1 on drugs is high in many countries, and has been quoted at:
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65% of total drug expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa |
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81% in Asia and |
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Less than 40% in established market economies. |
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The rise in drug expenditure over time exceeds that for other health expenditures |
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Drug prices influence access. For, example, The Panos Institute, says that the main reason why anti-retrovirals are not widely available in the developing world is the price of the drugs. |
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The cost of drugs is one of the factors that determines the drugs inclusion in the Essential Drugs Lists. |
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| Publication Webpage |
http://www.hst.org.za/publications/404 |
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| Keywords |
This Item is associated with the Following
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