Access to Essential Psychotropic Medicines in Addis Ababa: A CrossSectional Study
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Date
2022-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Mental disorders are becoming a growing public health problem
worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. To provide quality mental
health services, regular and adequate supplies of appropriate, safe and affordable
medications are required. However, significant percentages of people with severe mental
disorders are not getting the treatment. Availability and affordability of psychotropic
medicines, amongst others, are the major barriers for many patients in meeting their
medication needs. This study aimed to assess the availability, prices and affordability of
essential psychotropic medicines in the private and public health sectors of Addis Ababa
city.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used in 60 retail medicine outlets. Quota
sampling and purposive sampling was applied to select the retail outlets. Data was
entered and analyzed by using the pre-programmed WHO/HAI workbook and SPSS
version 25. Outcome measures were described as percentage availability, median price
and median price ratios, and the number of days' wages needed to purchase medicines by
the lowest-paid unskilled government worker. Finally, the results were presented as
statements, tables, figures and graphs.
Results: The mean availability of LPG psychotropic medicines was 24.33% in Addis
Ababa (28.7% in the public sector and 19.80% in the private sector), and of OB
medicines were 2.42 %( 2% in the private and 2.8% in the public sectors). Similarly, the
public procurement prices for 16 LPGs ranged from 0.25-4.83 MPRs and the median
procurement price was 0.96 MPR. The patient prices for the LPGs ranged from 0.52-6.43
MPRs in public and 1.08- 24.28 MPRs in private sectors. The patient prices for OB
medicine were 5.21 MPR in public and 11.17 in private sectors. The cost of standard
treatment varied from 0.1–7.8 days' wages in public and 0.8-25 days' in private sectors
for the lowest-paid government worker to purchase a month's supply.
Conclusions: Essential psychotropic medicines were poorly available with high prices
and low affordability in Addis Ababa. To ensure access, an efficient supply across all
levels of care and financial protection for key medicines should be in place.
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Keywords
Mental disorders, Psychotropic medicines, Availability, Prices, affordability, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia