Analysis of the availability and affordability of pharmaceuticals for children in need of palliative care

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the availability and affordability of pharmaceuticals for children in need of palliative care.Materials and methods. The price, affordability and physical availability of pharmaceuticals for children in need of palliative care were analyzed in accordance with the Health Action International guidelines of the World Health Organization. Linear distribution index (LDI) was calculated to produce the best estimates of availability. Research data was sourced from AlphaRM (as of April 26, 2021) and International Medicine Reference Piece Data. The data array was based on the fiscal data provided by pharmacies. The research was carried out on the total population of pharmacies in the Russian Federation (69,050 pharmacies) and in St. Petersburg (1986 pharmacies).Results. Pharmaceutical price and affordability estimates show that low-priced generics, which cover over 75% of the whole range, have the most optimal median value of the median price ratio (MPR<1) on top of low affordability ratios (AR<1). Ibuprofen, paracetamol, gabapentin, diazepam, morphine, midazolam, and carbamazepine were found to be the least affordable medications, price-wise (MPR>1). Midazolam (AR=2.494), morphine (AR=2.324), and celecoxib (AR=1.373) had low affordability. Notably, prescription-based pharmaceuticals such as diazepam, midazolam, tramadol, morphine, and fentanyl had the lowest physical availability scores (LDI<3%) in the Russian market compared to the relatively high scores of over-the-counter drugs (LDI>60%).Conclusions. The results call for better organizational action in the pharmaceutical industry to provide due drug regimens to children in need of palliative care.