Evaluating availability and price of essential medicines in Boston area (Massachusetts, USA) using WHO/HAI methodology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many patients even those with health insurance pay out-of-pocket for medicines. We investigated the availability and prices of essential medicines in the Boston area.

Methods

Using the WHO/HAI methodology, availability and undiscounted price data for both originator brand (OB) and lowest price generic (LPG) equivalent versions of 25 essential medicines (14 prescription; 11 over-the-counter (OTC)) were obtained from 17 private pharmacies. The inclusion and prices of 26 essential medicines in seven pharmacy discount programs were also studied. The medicine prices were compared with international reference prices (IRPs).

Results

In surveyed pharmacies, the OB medicines were less available as compared to the generics. The OB and LPG versions of OTC medicines we

SUBMITTER: Sharma A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4822245 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature