Cost and availability of selected medicines after implementation of increased import verification fees.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Uganda imports approximately 90% of its medicines, with about 60% being distributed by the private sector. To discourage importation and promote local production of 37 selected locally manufactured medicines, the Ugandan government through the Ministry of Health in 2017 increased the import verification fees from 2 to 12%. The increase in verification fees ultimately affects cost and availability of these medicines. This study aimed to assess the cost and availability of the selected essential medicines after the 12% increase in verification fees in Uganda.

Methods

A cross sectional study among 328 wholesale and retail pharmacies and seven key informant interviews was conducted using a pretested data collection checklist and in-depth interview guide from February

SUBMITTER: Ndagije HB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10768383 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature