Marina M Garcia1, Mariana M Barbosa1, Rondineli M Silva2, Edna A Reis3, Juliana Alvares1, Francisco de Assis Acurcio1, Brian Godman4,5,6,7, Augusto A Guerra Junior1. 1. Federal University of Minas Gerais, Department of Social Pharmacy, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil. 2. Sérgio Arouca National School of Public Health of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Department of Drug Policy and Pharmaceutical Assistance, St Leopoldo Bulhões, Room 622-632, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil. 3. Federal University of Minas Gerais, Department Institute of Exact Sciences, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil. 4. Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK. 5. Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, UK. 6. Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden. 7. School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng, South Africa.
Abstract
Aim: Creation of a single indicator of access to medicines. Methods: Data collection was performed with individuals who obtained their medication from either public and/or private pharmacies. A Likert scale was used to measure the importance and satisfaction in relation to various access dimensions. Results: A total of 580 individuals were interviewed. Overall, participants attributed very similar importance scores to the dimensions of access to medicines. The results of the mean score of each dimension showed a statistically significant difference according to the type of pharmacy that the participant visited. Conclusion: This developed indicator will enable a review of access to medicines, making comparisons possible as well as improving decision making about public policies in the field of Pharmaceutical Services.
Aim: Creation of a single indicator of access to medicines. Methods: Data collection was performed with individuals who obtained their medication from either public and/or private pharmacies. A Likert scale was used to measure the importance and satisfaction in relation to various access dimensions. Results: A total of 580 individuals were interviewed. Overall, participants attributed very similar importance scores to the dimensions of access to medicines. The results of the mean score of each dimension showed a statistically significant difference according to the type of pharmacy that the participant visited. Conclusion: This developed indicator will enable a review of access to medicines, making comparisons possible as well as improving decision making about public policies in the field of Pharmaceutical Services.