Pricing and availability of some essential child specific medicines in Odisha

Abstract

Objectives:Continuous availability of affordable medicines in appropriate formulations is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality in children. Odisha an eastern Indian state records very high mortality of children. The study aims at documenting the availability and prices paid for purchasing essential child-specific medicines.Materials and Methods:The survey of 34 essential medicines was conducted in six randomly selected districts of Odisha. Data were collected from medicine outlets of the public, private, and other sector (Nongovernmental Organization [NGO]/mission sectors) of six randomly selected districts, using WHO/Health Action International medicine price collection methodology. For each medicine surveyed, data were collected on the highest and lowest-priced formulations available in each facility.Results:Both public sector and other sector health facilities procure only one brand of medicines, mean percentage availability of medicines being 17% and 21.8%, respectively. In the private sector, the mean percentage availability of the high and lowest-priced medicines for a particular drug product was 10.8% and 38.5%, respectively. The public sector procurement price is 48% lower than international reference prices. In the private sector, high-priced, and low-priced products are sold at 1.83 and 1.46 times the international reference price, respectively. Substantial price variation was observed for some medicines across individual outlets. Medicines were found to cost 2.08 times their international reference price in NGO/mission sector facilities.Conclusions:The availability of children's medicines in public sector facilities of Odisha state is poor. Medicines for children cost relatively high in both private and NGO sectors compared to the international reference price. The availability medicines should be improved on an urgent basis to improve access of medicines for children of Odisha.

Pricing and components analysis of some key essential pediatric medicine in Odisha state

“…The high variability of price between private sector outlets is likely the result of low market competition and absence of proper price regulation. [ 6 ] Our findings also match with price components survey in Mongolia, which also revealed that cumulative percent markups for individual medicines ranged from 37.5% to 115.53% in private sector with major contributions to final price from retail markup (30.44% of final price) and wholesale markup (15.7% of final price). [ 8 ]…”

“…In case of private/NGO sector, different products basing on highest priced or lowest priced, originator, or generic were selected from data of the previous studies involving pricing and availability. [ 6 ] For each product, one retail pharmacy was interviewed, and actual invoice was reviewed. These products were traced backward through the supply chain, from dispensing point to wholesaler, local manufacturer/importer, and different charges and markups were identified.…”

“…[ 5 ] The previous studies involving pricing and availability of key essential pediatric medicines has revealed that there is a wide variation in prices in private sector. [ 6 ] The present study was planned to explore the prices the patients actually pay and the exact level at which the child-specific medicines gain price so that a strategy for proper intervention can be devised at by the Government or regulators.…”

Availability, Management and Use of Priority Life-Saving Medicines for Under-Five Children in Two Health Districts in Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The SSA would still pay the highest price since it would concentrate more on half of the deaths [3]. More than one out of every two deaths is due to diseases that can be treated with high-quality and low-cost drugs [4]. The main causes are preventable communicable diseases [5].…”

Essential medicine utilization and situation in selected ten developing countries: A compendious audit

“…These medicines for pediatric patient were high in both privately and nongovernmental organization owned medicine shop compared to the international reference price (IRP). [ 53 ] Another cross-sectional study, regarding availability of five EMs (Vitamin A solution, syrup cotrimoxazole, oral rehydration salt, syrup paracetamol, and zinc sulfate oral liquids or tablets) for pediatric patient, conducted in 129 public health centers spanning 17 states of India, two union territories, and National Capital Territory of Delhi revealed that accessibility of these EMs was not reasonable good. The study found that 36%–100% cases were available in studied public health facilities.…”