Medicines shortages in Pakistan: a qualitative study to explore current situation, reasons and possible solutions to overcome the barriers.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study was conducted to assess current situation of medicines shortages in Pakistan and to identify its impact, reasons and possible solutions to overcome the barriers.

Design

A qualitative study.

Setting

The study was conducted between May 2018 and July 2018 in three cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Karachi and Bahawalpur, depending on the availability of most relevant key informants.

Participants

Health regulators, pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmaceutical distributors and pharmacists.

Primary and secondary outcome measure

Study primarily explored current situation, reasons and potential solutions of medicines shortages in Pakistan. Secondary outcome was the issue of particular brand shortage.

Method

Semistructured interv

SUBMITTER: Atif M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6731845 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature