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Availability of essential medicines in Pakistan-A comprehensive document analysis
Sunaina Rafi1, Huma Rasheed1, Muhammad Usman1
1Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Plos One
|July 9, 2021
Summary
A significant number of essential medicines (EMs) in Pakistan lack registration status, hindering access. Prioritizing registration processes is crucial to ensure availability of these vital EMs.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Public Health
- Health Policy
Background:
- Access to essential medicines (EMs) is a fundamental human right.
- Pakistan faces reported issues with EM availability and shortages, but data is limited.
- This study addresses the gap by systematically analyzing EMs on Pakistan's National Essential Medicines List (NEML).
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze the availability of medicines on Pakistan's National Essential Medicines List (NEML).
- To identify the extent and nature of unregistered essential medicines in Pakistan.
- To propose strategies for improving EM access through registration and formulation optimization.
Main Methods:
- Compiled an expanded list of medicinal items from Pakistan's NEML (2018).
- Searched for medicine registration status using Pharmaguide, the online Drug Information System, and Pharmapedia.
- Validated data through a 3-step process and categorized unregistered EMs for remedial strategies.
Main Results:
- Out of 690 EMs studied, 179 (26%) lacked registration status.
- Availability of 47% of unregistered EMs could be improved by strengthening compounding and prioritizing age-appropriate formulations.
- Revising the NEML or product registrations could ensure availability for another 21.7% of unregistered medicines.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of EMs in Pakistan lack official registration, posing a significant barrier to access.
- Strengthening and prioritizing medicine registration processes is essential.
- Strategies include enhancing compounding services, prioritizing age-appropriate formulations, and revising the NEML.
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