Availability of essential medicines in Pakistan-A comprehensive document analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Access to essential medicines (EMs) is a basic human right. Non-availability and shortages of EMs are reported for Pakistan but there is insufficient data to define the nature and magnitude of this problem. The current study is designed to systematically analyze the medicines included in the National Essential Medicines List (NEML) for their availability through comprehensive document analysis.

Methods

An expanded list of medicinal items was developed using the NEML of Pakistan (2018) to enlist individual medicines with their specifications. Registration status of the medicines was searched using three publicly accessible information sources; Pharmaguide 25th Edition, 2018-19, the on-line Drug Information System, and the Mobile Application Pharmapedia followed b

SUBMITTER: Rafi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8270130 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature