Access to Medicines Policy Research - Pakistan
Barriers to the Use of Magnesium Sulphate in Pakistan: A Study to Develop Informed Policy
There is ample evidence to suggest that magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for the treatment and prevention of eclampsia and severe pre eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate has appeared on the World Health Organization's essential medicines list since 1996 and a typical dosage costs USD 0.35 per ampoule.
Despite this evidence, there is low usage of magnesium sulphate in Pakistan. Factors inhibiting its use could arise from a range of issues including its production, pricing, availability, safety concerns, attitudes of medical staff and other barriers. There is ample data from developing countries on the above areas but there is no published evidence from Pakistan that looks at the availability and barriers in the use of magnesium sulphate.
The purpose of this study is to determine the barriers to the use of magnesium sulphate and assess its availability in the public and private health facilities of Pakistan with the ultimate goal of gathering evidence for formulation of enabling policies at the national and provincial level. The methodology will consist of a desk review, cross sectional survey and qualitative discussions with health workers.
Project description
Programme: Access to Medicines Policy Research
Research title: Barriers to the Use of Magnesium Sulphate in Pakistan: A Study to Develop Informed Policy
Thematic Research Area: Access to Medicines
Grantee Country: Pakistan
Grantee Institution: Ministry of Health, Pakistan
Program Coordinator/Principle Investigator: Dr. Assad Hafeez
Start date: Autumn/Winter 2010
Status of grant: Completed (June 2011)