Evaluating access to oral anti-diabetic medicines: A cross-sectional survey of prices, availability and affordability in Shaanxi Province, Western China.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:To assess the availability and affordability of oral anti-diabetic medicines in Shaanxi Province, Western China. METHODS:In 2015, the prices and availability of 8 anti-diabetic medicines covering 31 different dosage forms and strengths were collected in six cities of Shaanxi Province. A total of 72 public hospitals and 72 private pharmacies were sampled, using a modified methodology developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Action International (HAI). Medicine prices were compared with international reference prices to obtain a median price ratio. For urban residents, affordability was assessed as the lowest-paid unskilled government workers to purchase cost of standard treatment in days' wages; for rural residents, days' net income was used. RESULTS:The mean a

SUBMITTER: Yang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6795464 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature