Access to Medicines Policy Research
Access to Medicines for Patients living with a Chronic Condition in Low and Middle Income Countries
Researchers from the National Public Health Institute of Mexico (INSP) and the Centre for Global Health and Development (at Boston University’s School of Public Health) will examine the literature regarding Access to Essential Medicines among persons living with chronic diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). By summarizing the available evidence, the study will provide a critical resource for decision-makers involved with pharmaceutical policy in the studied countries, both in terms of the evidence it synthesizes and the recommendations (“framework”) it plans to offer for disease management in resource-poor settings.
Specifically, the project aims to:
- Review the existing situation for access to medicines and routine care for patients living with chronic conditions in LMICs; the author will draw on existing peer-reviewed literature, selected reports and grey literature;
- Review existing models of chronic care and disease management, both in LMICs where information is available, and in high income countries;
- Draw lessons from the above and propose a framework of chronic care and disease management that may be applied in resource-poor settings, to improve access of patients living with chronic conditions to routine care and essential medicines; and
- Include in the proposed framework consideration for sustainable financing of chronic disease care and medicines, including alleviation of the burden of direct out-of-pocket payments and risk of impoverishment of vulnerable patients and households.
Project description
Programme: Access to Medicines Policy Research
Research title: Access to Medicines for Patients living with a Chronic Condition in Low and Middle Income Countries
Thematic Research Area: Access to Medicines
Grantee Country: Mexico
Grantee Institution: National Public Health Institute Mexico (INSP)
Program Coordinator/Principle Investigator: Dr Veronika Wirtz
Start date: Autumn/Winter 2010
Status of grant: Completed (June 2011)