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Tečić Vuger A, Separovic R, Tolaney SM, Trapani D. Globalization of clinical research in oncology: Status, challenges, and future directions. J Cancer Policy 2024; 42:100500. [PMID: 39134147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2024.100500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, and its burden is increasing around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Yet, cancer research has historically been conducted primarily in high-income countries (HICs). METHODS In this review, we describe the results of our literature search into the current state of international cancer trials, including the benefits, challenges, limitations, and ethical concerns regarding the international conduct of HIC-led trials. We also propose some possible means of addressing these challenges and overcoming these barriers to extend the benefits of cancer research to people around the world. RESULTS Over the last several decades, there has been a shift toward inclusion of investigators and participants from LMICs in pivotal cancer clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS While inclusion of LMIC countries has benefits, including increased diversity of participant populations, investment in research infrastructure in LMICs, and potential expansion of cancer treatment options around the world, the continued leadership of most trials by HICs presents ethical concerns, including potential exploitation of researchers and participants from LMICs, lack of focus on cancer types prevalent in all participating regions, and disparities in access to approved therapies once the trial is complete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tečić Vuger
- University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Separovic
- University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer, Osijek, Croatia; University of Juraj Dobrila, Pula, Croatia
| | | | - Dario Trapani
- European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy; University of Milan, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Milan, Italy; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale (UNIUPO) "Amedeo Avogadro", Novara, Italy.
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Du QH, Zhang ZC, Yang Y, Luo XX, Liu L, Jia HH. How health seeking behavior develops in patients with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study based on health belief model in China. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1414903. [PMID: 39045167 PMCID: PMC11263333 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1414903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Type 2 diabetes(T2DM) is a global health problem which is accompanied with multi-systemic complications, and associated with long-term health burden and economic burden. Effective health seeking behavior (HSB) refers to reasonably utilize health resources, effectively prevent and treat diseases, and maintain health. Effective health seeking behavior (HSB) is vital to mitigate the risk of T2DM complications. However, health seeking behavior for T2DM patients remains sub-optimal worldwide. Objective The study aimed to explore the internal logic of how health seeking behavior of T2DM patients develops and the influencing factors of health seeking behavior. With a view to provide a reference basis for improving the health seeking behavior situation of T2DM patients. Methods This study was conducted at an integrated tertiary hospital in China. People who were diagnosed with T2DM, capable of expressing clearly and had no mental illness, were approached based on a purposive sampling. The experience of T2DM and health seeking behavior were collected via in-depth interviews. A theory-driven thematic analysis based on Health Belief Model (HBM) was applied for data analysis. Inductive reasoning was used to identify emerging themes which were not included in HBM. Results 26 patients with T2DM were included in the current study. Seven themes were identified, including: (1) T2DM diagnosis and severity; (2) T2DM treatment and management; (3) Perceived susceptibility of diabetes progression; (4) Perceived severity of diabetes progression; (5) Perceived benefits of health seeking behavior; (6) Perceived barriers of health seeking behavior; (7) Perception of behavioral cues. Generally, patients with T2DM lacked reliable sources of information, considered T2DM to be slow-progressing and without posing an immediate threat to life. Consequently, they did not fully grasp the long-term risks associated with T2DM or the protective effects of health seeking behavior. Conclusion This study highlighted the challenges in health seeking behavior for patients with T2DM. It suggested that future interventions and strategies should involve multi-faceted approaches, targeting healthcare providers (HCPs), patients with T2DM, and their support networks. This comprehensive strategy can help patients better understand their condition and the importance of effective health seeking behavior. Ultimately, enhancing their capacity for adopting appropriate health-seeking practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-hui Du
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University (Daqing), Daqing, China
| | - Zi-chen Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University (Daqing), Daqing, China
| | - You Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Xiao-xi Luo
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University (Daqing), Daqing, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University (Daqing), Daqing, China
| | - Hong-hong Jia
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University (Daqing), Daqing, China
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Li C, Spencer G, Husain MJ, Nugent R, Auzenne D, Kostova D, Richter P. Barriers to accessibility of medicines for hyperlipidemia in low- and middle-income countries. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002905. [PMID: 38346061 PMCID: PMC10861044 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Despite the high burden of hyperlipidemia and the effectiveness of treatment, evidence suggests that the accessibility of hyperlipidemia medicines can be low in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to identify common barriers to the accessibility of medicines for hyperlipidemia in LMICs. A multimethod analysis and multiple data sources were used to assess the accessibility and barriers of medicines for hyperlipidemia in selected LMICs. The overall median availability of statins for hyperlipidemia in public facilities was 0% and 5.4%, for originators and generics, respectively. In private facilities, median availability was 13.3% and 35.9%, for originators and generics, respectively. Statin availability was lowest in Africa and South-East Asia. Private facilities generally had higher availability than public facilities. Statins are less affordable in lower-income countries, costing around 6 days' wages per month. Originator statins are less affordable than generics in countries of all income-levels. The median cost for statin medications per month ranges from a low of $1 in Kenya to a high of $62 in Mexico, with most countries having a median monthly cost between $3.6 and $17.0. The key informant interviews suggested that accessibility to hyperlipidemia medicines in LMICs faces barriers in multiple dimensions of health systems. The availability and affordability of statins are generally low in LMICs. Several steps could be implemented to improve the accessibility of hyperlipidemia medicines, including private sector engagement, physician education, investment in technology, and enhancement of health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyang Li
- Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Garrison Spencer
- Center for Global Noncommunicable Diseases, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Muhammad Jami Husain
- Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rachel Nugent
- Center for Global Noncommunicable Diseases, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Deon Auzenne
- Department of Psychology, Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Deliana Kostova
- Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Patricia Richter
- Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Marshall K, Beaden P, Durrani H, Tang K, Mogilevskii R, Bhutta Z. The role of the private sector in noncommunicable disease prevention and management in low- and middle-income countries: a series of systematic reviews and thematic syntheses. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2023; 18:2156099. [PMID: 36591948 PMCID: PMC9815432 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2022.2156099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Conduct six systematic reviews investigating for-profit private sector roles in NCD prevention and management in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through our a priori framework's pillars. METHODS Six systematic reviews and thematic syntheses were performed between March-August 2021, Six databases, websites of relevant organizations, and references lists of included studies were comprehensively searched. Studies published in English from 2000 onwards involving the pillar of interest, for-profit private sector, NCD prevention/management, and LMIC context were included. Results were synthesized using an inductive thematic synthesis approach. RESULTS Ultimately, 25 articles were included in the PPP review, 33 in Governance and Policy, 22 in Healthcare Provision, 15 in Innovation, 14 in Knowledge Educator, and 42 in Investment and Finance. The following themes emerged: PPPs (coordination; financial resources; provision; health promotion; capacity building; innovation; policy); Governance/Policy (lobbying; industry perception; regulation); Healthcare Provision (diagnosis/treatment; infrastructure; availability/accessibility/affordability); Innovation (product innovation; process innovation; marketing innovation; research; innovation dissemination); Knowledge Educator (training; health promotion; industry framework/guideline formation); Investment and Finance (treatment cost; regulation; private insurance; subsidization; direct investment; collaborative financing; innovative financing; research). CONCLUSION These findings will be instrumental for LMICs considering private sector engagement. Potential conflicts of interest must be considered when implementing private sector involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Marshall
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,CONTACT Keiko Marshall University of Toronto
| | - Philippa Beaden
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hammad Durrani
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kun Tang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Roman Mogilevskii
- Institute of Public Policy and Administration, University of Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Zulfiqar Bhutta
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada,Centre for Excellence in Women and Child Health and Institute of Global Health and Development, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan,Zulfiqar Bhutta Zulfiqar BhuttaCentre for Global Child Health Hospital, Sick Children 686 Bay Street, 11th Floor, Suite 11.9805 Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada ext. 328532 Aga Khan University
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Hegemann L, Narasimhan V, Marfo K, Kuma-Aboagye P, Ofori-Acquah S, Odame I. Bridging the Access Gap for Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Management Across Sub-Saharan Africa: Learnings for Other Global Health Interventions? Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:76. [PMID: 38025926 PMCID: PMC10655752 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major unresolved global health issue, with the highest disease burden in sub-Saharan African countries; yet, SCD care has not proportionally reached patients in these regions, and the disease has received limited attention in the past. Addressing the burden of SCD in sub-Saharan Africa requires a holistic, collaborative approach to ensure solutions are both comprehensive - i.e., cover the entire continuum of care from early diagnosis to treatment - and sustainable - i.e., are co-created and co-owned with local partners and integrated into existing local systems to enable long-term independence without the need for continuous external support. Objective We outline a set of recommendations for enhancing the provision of comprehensive healthcare for prevalent diseases in resource-constraint settings, gathered from the Novartis Africa SCD Program, that could serve as 'blueprint' for public-private partnerships to tackle global health priorities. Methods The Novartis Africa SCD program was initiated with the aim to bridge access gaps to SCD care and provide comprehensive and innovative treatment solutions for SCD, especially in SSA where the disease burden is highest. The Program was first inaugurated in 2019 in Ghana through a public-private partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Government of Ghana, the Ghana Health Service, and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana. Through engagement with these partners, as well as with support from other organizations with complementary competencies and resources, several targeted solutions were implemented to help strengthen the healthcare ecosystem to allow for comprehensive SCD management. Learnings from these interventions are highlighted as best practice consideration as a catalyst and to activate more public-private actors for this neglected global health issue. Findings and Conclusions A solid understanding of the access barriers to comprehensive care has to be acquired by listening to and learning from patients, civil society, and local experts. Access barriers need to be addressed at multiple levels, i.e., by not only making medicines available and affordable, but also by strengthening healthcare systems, building capacity, and fostering local research and development. Partnerships across governmental, public, academic, non-profit, and private organizations are needed to secure political will, pool resources, gather expertise with understanding of the local context, and allow integration into all levels of existing local healthcare structures and the wider society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Hegemann
- Global Health & Sustainability, Novartis International AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Kwaku Marfo
- Global Health & Sustainability, Novartis International AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Solomon Ofori-Acquah
- West African Genetic Medicine Center (WAGMC), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Isaac Odame
- Division of Haematology/Oncology and Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids),Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
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Rockers PC, Kiragu ZW, Onyango MA, Laing RO, Wirtz VJ. Willingness to pay brand premiums for generic medicines in Kenya: A bidding game experiment. Int J Health Plann Manage 2023; 38:1453-1463. [PMID: 37337315 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent growth in the market share of higher priced branded generic medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has raised concerns around affordability and access. We examined consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for branded versus unbranded generic non-communicable disease (NCD) medicines in Kenya. METHODS We randomly assigned NCD patients to receive a hypothetical offer for either a Novartis Access-branded medicine or for an unbranded generic equivalent. We then analysed WTP data captured using a bidding game methodology. RESULTS We found that WTP for Novartis Access medicines was on average 23% higher than for unbranded generic equivalents (p = 0.009). The WTP brand premium was driven almost entirely by wealthier patients. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the dominance of branded generics in LMICs like Kenya reflect in part consumer preferences for these medicines. Governments and other health sector actors may be justified in intervening to improve access to these medicines and equivalent non-branded generics, particularly for the poorest patients who appear to have no preference for branded medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C Rockers
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zana Wangari Kiragu
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Monica A Onyango
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard O Laing
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Hu W, Zhang W, Zhou Y, Luo Y, Sun X, Xu H, Shi S, Li T, Xu Y, Yang Q, Qiu Y, Zhu F, Dai H. MecDDI: Clarified Drug-Drug Interaction Mechanism Facilitating Rational Drug Use and Potential Drug-Drug Interaction Prediction. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:1626-1636. [PMID: 36802582 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are a major concern in clinical practice and have been recognized as one of the key threats to public health. To address such a critical threat, many studies have been conducted to clarify the mechanism underlying each DDI, based on which alternative therapeutic strategies are successfully proposed. Moreover, artificial intelligence-based models for predicting DDIs, especially multilabel classification models, are highly dependent on a reliable DDI data set with clear mechanistic information. These successes highlight the imminent necessity to have a platform providing mechanistic clarifications for a large number of existing DDIs. However, no such platform is available yet. In this study, a platform entitled "MecDDI" was therefore introduced to systematically clarify the mechanisms underlying the existing DDIs. This platform is unique in (a) clarifying the mechanisms underlying over 1,78,000 DDIs by explicit descriptions and graphic illustrations and (b) providing a systematic classification for all collected DDIs based on the clarified mechanisms. Due to the long-lasting threats of DDIs to public health, MecDDI could offer medical scientists a clear clarification of DDI mechanisms, support healthcare professionals to identify alternative therapeutics, and prepare data for algorithm scientists to predict new DDIs. MecDDI is now expected as an indispensable complement to the available pharmaceutical platforms and is freely accessible at: https://idrblab.org/mecddi/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou 330110, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Clinical Research and Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Yongchao Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou 330110, China
| | - Xiuna Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou 330110, China
| | - Huimin Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Shuiyang Shi
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou 330110, China
| | - Teng Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yichao Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Qianqian Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hangzhou First Peoples Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Clinical Pharmacy Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yunqing Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Clinical Research and Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou 330110, China
| | - Haibin Dai
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.,Clinical Pharmacy Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
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Baatiema L, Sanuade OA, Allen LN, Abimbola S, Hategeka C, Koram KA, Kruk ME. Health system adaptions to improve care for people living with non-communicable diseases during COVID-19 in low-middle income countries: A scoping review. J Glob Health 2023; 13:06006. [PMID: 36862142 PMCID: PMC9980283 DOI: 10.7189/iogh.13.06006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to health care for people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been significantly disrupted. Calls have been made to adapt health systems and innovate service delivery models to improve access to care. We identified and summarized the health systems adaptions and interventions implemented to improve NCD care and their potential impact on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods We comprehensively searched Medline/PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, PsycINFO, Global Literature on coronavirus disease, and Web of Science for relevant literature published between January 2020 and December 2021. While we targeted articles written in English, we also included papers published in French with abstracts written in English. Results After screening 1313 records, we included 14 papers from six countries. We identified four unique health systems adaptations/interventions for restoring, maintaining, and ensuring continuity of care for people living with NCDs: telemedicine or teleconsultation strategies, NCD medicine drop-off points, decentralization of hypertension follow-up services and provision of free medication to peripheral health centers, and diabetic retinopathy screening with a handheld smartphone-based retinal camera. We found that the adaptations/interventions enhanced continuity of NCD care during the pandemic and helped bring health care closer to patients using technology and easing access to medicines and routine visits. Telephonic aftercare services appear to have saved a significant amount of patients' time and funds. Hypertensive patients recorded better blood pressure controls over the follow-up period. Conclusions Although the identified measures and interventions for adapting health systems resulted in potential improvements in access to NCD care and better clinical outcomes, further exploration is needed to establish the feasibility of these adaptations/interventions in different settings given the importance of context in their successful implementation. Insights from such implementation studies are critical for ongoing health systems strengthening efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and future global health security threats for people living with NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Baatiema
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olutobi A Sanuade
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Luke N Allen
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Seye Abimbola
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Celestin Hategeka
- Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kwadwo A Koram
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Margaret E Kruk
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Nyanchoka M, Mulaku M, Nyagol B, Owino EJ, Kariuki S, Ochodo E. Implementing essential diagnostics-learning from essential medicines: A scoping review. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000827. [PMID: 36962808 PMCID: PMC10121180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) model list of Essential In vitro Diagnostic (EDL) introduced in 2018 complements the established Essential Medicines List (EML) and improves its impact on advancing universal health coverage and better health outcomes. We conducted a scoping review of the literature on implementing the WHO essential lists in Africa to inform the implementation of the recently introduced EDL. We searched eight electronic databases for studies reporting on implementing the WHO EDL and EML in Africa. Two authors independently conducted study selection and data extraction, with disagreements resolved through discussion. We used the Supporting the Use of Research Evidence (SURE) framework to extract themes and synthesised findings using thematic content analysis. We used the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 to assess the quality of included studies. We included 172 studies reporting on EDL and EML after screening 3,813 articles titles and abstracts and 1,545 full-text papers. Most (75%, n = 129) studies were purely quantitative in design, comprising descriptive cross-sectional designs (60%, n = 104), 15% (n = 26) were purely qualitative, and 10% (n = 17) had mixed-methods approaches. There were no qualitative or randomised experimental studies about EDL. The main barrier facing the EML and EDL was poorly equipped health facilities-including unavailability or stock-outs of essential in vitro diagnostics and medicines. Financial and non-financial incentives to health facilities and workers were key enablers in implementing the EML; however, their impact differed from one context to another. Only fifty-six (33%) of the included studies were of high quality. Poorly equipped and stocked health facilities remain an implementation barrier to essential diagnostics and medicines. Health system interventions such as financial and non-financial incentives to improve their availability can be applied in different contexts. More implementation study designs, such as experimental and qualitative studies, are required to evaluate the effectiveness of essential lists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriasi Nyanchoka
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mercy Mulaku
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy, and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bruce Nyagol
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eddy Johnson Owino
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Simon Kariuki
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eleanor Ochodo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Essential oil of Ruta chalepensis L. from Djibouti: Chemical Analysis and Modeling of In Vitro Anticancer Profiling. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9120387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) is a tropical medicinal plant traditionally used in the Republic of Djibouti to treat several diseases, including tumors. In this study, the anticancer activities of this plant from Djibouti were investigated according to an in vitro evaluation method and statistical modeling. The results obtained will make it possible to complete the previous work already published on this genus of plant, in particular by using untested cancer cell lines, such as U87-MG, U2OS, RT4, PC3, NCI-N87, MRC-5, MIA-Paca2, K562, JIMT-T1, HEK293, HCT116, A549, and A2780. The main volatile compound turned out to be 2-undecanone (51.3%). Correlation modeling was performed from the principal component analysis (PCA) of IC50 of the essential oil and four active substances (vinblastine, doxorubicin, combrestatin A4, and monomethyl auristatin E) versus the cancer cell lines tested, which confirmed the effectiveness of the oil against 6 lines: U2OS, NCI-N87, MRC-5, MIA-Paca2, JIMT-T1, and HEK293. These data reveal promising prospects for good biomass management through the future exploitation of the R. chalepensis L. essential oil as a potential source of natural anticancer agents for targeted investigations.
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Stolbrink M, Thomson H, Hadfield RM, Ozoh OB, Nantanda R, Jayasooriya S, Allwood B, Halpin DMG, Salvi S, de Oca MM, Mortimer K, Rylance S. The availability, cost, and affordability of essential medicines for asthma and COPD in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e1423-e1442. [PMID: 36113528 PMCID: PMC9638033 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00330-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause a considerable burden of morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines is variable. We aimed to review the existing literature relating to the availability, cost, and affordability of WHO's essential medicines for asthma and COPD in LMICs. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was done by searching seven databases to identify research articles published between Jan 1, 2010, and June 30, 2022. Studies on named essential medicines for asthma and COPD in LMICs were included and review articles were excluded. Two authors (MS and HT) screened and extracted data independently, and assessed bias using Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. The main outcome measures were availability (WHO target of 80%), cost (compared with median price ratio [MPR]), and affordability (number of days of work of the lowest paid government worker). The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021281069. FINDINGS Of 4742 studies identified, 29 met the inclusion criteria providing data from 60 LMICs. All studies had a low risk of bias. Six of 58 countries met the 80% availability target for short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs), three of 48 countries for inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), and zero of four for inhaled corticosteroid-long-acting beta-agonist (ICS-LABA) combination inhalers. Costs were reported by 12 studies: the range of MPRs was 1·1-351 for SABAs, 2·6-340 for ICSs, and 24 for ICS-LABAs in the single study reporting this. Affordability was calculated in ten studies: SABA inhalers typically cost around 1-4 days' wages, ICSs 2-7 days, and ICS-LABAs at least 6 days. The included studies showed heterogeneity. INTERPRETATION Essential medicines for treating asthma and COPD were largely unavailable and unaffordable in LMICs. This was particularly true for inhalers containing corticosteroids. FUNDING WHO and Wellcome Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Stolbrink
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | | | - Ruth M Hadfield
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Deer Park, IL, USA
| | - Obianuju B Ozoh
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Rebecca Nantanda
- Makerere University Lung Institute, College of Health Sciences Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Shamanthi Jayasooriya
- British Thoracic Society Global Health Group, London, UK; University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Brian Allwood
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David M G Halpin
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Deer Park, IL, USA; University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Sundeep Salvi
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Deer Park, IL, USA; Pulmocare Research and Education (PURE) Foundation, Pune, India
| | - Maria Montes de Oca
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Deer Park, IL, USA; Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; Centro Medico de Caracas Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Kevin Mortimer
- The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah Rylance
- Noncommunicable Disease Management Unit, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
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12
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Muddu M, Semitala FC, Kimera I, Mbuliro M, Ssennyonjo R, Kigozi SP, Katwesigye R, Ayebare F, Namugenyi C, Mugabe F, Mutungi G, Longenecker CT, Katahoire AR, Ssinabulya I, Schwartz JI. Improved hypertension control at six months using an adapted WHO HEARTS-based implementation strategy at a large urban HIV clinic in Uganda. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:699. [PMID: 35610717 PMCID: PMC9131679 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08045-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To adapt a World Health Organization HEARTS-based implementation strategy for hypertension (HTN) control at a large urban HIV clinic in Uganda and determine six-month HTN and HIV outcomes among a cohort of adult persons living with HIV (PLHIV). METHODS Our implementation strategy included six elements: health education, medication adherence, and lifestyle counseling; routine HTN screening; task shifting of HTN treatment; evidence-based HTN treatment protocol; consistent supply of HTN medicines free to patients; and inclusion of HTN-specific monitoring and evaluation tools. We conducted a pre-post study from October 2019 to March 2020 to determine the effect of this strategy on HTN and HIV outcomes at baseline and six months. Our cohort comprised adult PLHIV diagnosed with HTN who made at least one clinic visit within two months prior to study onset. FINDINGS We enrolled 1,015 hypertensive PLHIV. The mean age was 50.1 ± 9.5 years and 62.6% were female. HTN outcomes improved between baseline and six months: mean systolic BP (154.3 ± 20.0 to 132.3 ± 13.8 mmHg, p < 0.001); mean diastolic BP (97.7 ± 13.1 to 85.3 ± 9.5 mmHg, p < 0.001) and proportion of patients with controlled HTN (9.3% to 74.1%, p < 0.001). The HTN care cascade also improved: treatment initiation (13.4% to 100%), retention in care (16.2% to 98.5%), monitoring (16.2% to 98.5%), and BP control among those initiated on HTN treatment (2.2% to 75.2%). HIV cascade steps remained high (> 95% at baseline and six months) and viral suppression was unchanged (98.7% to 99.2%, p = 0.712). Taking ART for more than two years and HIV viral suppression were independent predictors of HTN control at six months. CONCLUSIONS A HEARTS-based implementation strategy at a large, urban HIV center facilitates integration of HTN and HIV care and improves HTN outcomes while sustaining HIV control. Further implementation research is needed to study HTN/HIV integration in varied clinical settings among diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Muddu
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fred C. Semitala
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Isaac Kimera
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mary Mbuliro
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rebecca Ssennyonjo
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Simon P. Kigozi
- grid.463352.50000 0004 8340 3103Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rodgers Katwesigye
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Florence Ayebare
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christabellah Namugenyi
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Frank Mugabe
- grid.415705.2Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Chris T. Longenecker
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Anne R. Katahoire
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Isaac Ssinabulya
- grid.416252.60000 0000 9634 2734Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jeremy I. Schwartz
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
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13
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Kiragu ZW, Rockers PC, Onyango MA, Mungai J, Mboya J, Laing R, Wirtz VJ. Household access to non-communicable disease medicines during universal health care roll-out in Kenya: A time series analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266715. [PMID: 35443014 PMCID: PMC9020677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to describe trends and estimate impact of county-level universal health coverage expansion in Kenya on household availability of non-communicable disease medicines, medicine obtainment at public hospitals and proportion of medicines obtained free of charge. Methods Data from phone surveillance of households in eight Kenyan counties between December 2016 and September 2019 were used. Three primary outcomes related to access were assessed based on patient report: availability of non-communicable disease medicines at the household; non-communicable disease medicine obtainment at a public hospital versus a different outlet; and non-communicable disease medicine obtainment free of cost versus at a non-zero price. Mixed models adjusting for fixed and random effects were used to estimate associations between outcomes of interest and UHC exposure. Results The 197 respondents with universal health coverage were similar on all demographic factors to the 415 respondents with no universal health coverage. Private chemists were the most popular place of purchase throughout the study. Adjusting for demographic factors, county and time fixed effects, there was a significant increase in free medicines (aOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.73, 3.76), significant decrease in medicine obtainment at public hospitals (aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47, 0.97), and no impact on the availability of non-communicable disease medicines in households (aβ -0.004, 95% CI -0.058, 0.050) with universal health coverage. Conclusions Access to universal health coverage caused a significant increase in free non-communicable disease medicines, indicating financial risk protection. Interestingly, this is not accompanied with increases in public hospitals purchases or household availability of non-communicable disease medicines, with public health centers playing a greater role in supply of free medicines. This raises the question as to the status of supply-side investments at the public hospitals, to facilitate availability of quality-assured medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zana Wangari Kiragu
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter C. Rockers
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Monica A. Onyango
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John Mungai
- Innovation for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Mboya
- Innovation for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Richard Laing
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Veronika J. Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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14
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Lotfizadeh A, Palafox B, Takallou A, Balabanova D, McKee M, Murphy A. Factors associated with the availability and affordability of essential cardiovascular disease medicines in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000072. [PMID: 36962256 PMCID: PMC10021589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite their potential to prevent or delay the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD), medicines for CVD remain unavailable and unaffordable to many in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We systematically reviewed the literature to identify factors associated with availability and affordability of CVD medicines in LMICs. A protocol for this study was registered on the PROSPERO register of systematic reviews (CRD42019135393). We searched Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EconLit, Social Policy and Practice, and Africa Wide Information for studies analyzing factors associated with the presence of medicines (availability) or the price of these medicines as it relates to ability to pay (affordability) in LMICs. We performed a narrative synthesis of the results using an access to medicines framework that examines influences at different levels of the health system. We did not conduct a meta-analysis because of the differences in analytic approaches and outcome measures in different studies. The search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Of 43 studies meeting inclusion criteria, 41 were cross-sectional. Availability and affordability were defined and measured in different ways. A range of factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, facility tier, presence of medicines on national essential medicine lists, and international subsidy programs were examined. The studies had variable quality and findings were often inconsistent. We find gaps in the literature on factors associated with availability and affordability of CVD medicines, particularly at the health program level. We conclude that there is a need for experimental and quasi-experimental studies that could identify causal factors and effective responses. Such studies would help further our understanding of how complex multifactorial influences impact these outcomes, which could inform policy decisions. Along with this, greater standardization of definitions and measurement approaches of availability and affordability are needed to allow for more effective comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Lotfizadeh
- PASHA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Palafox
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Armin Takallou
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Dina Balabanova
- Department of Global Health and Development, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrianna Murphy
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Toroitich AM, Dunford L, Armitage R, Tanna S. Patients Access to Medicines - A Critical Review of the Healthcare System in Kenya. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022; 15:361-374. [PMID: 35256867 PMCID: PMC8898182 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s348816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Access to affordable, safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines by a patient is important for good health outcomes. Unfortunately, there is sparse literature published on the pharmaceutical enablers that may increase the sale of a substandard and falsified (SF) medicine to a patient in Kenya. The review highlights some of the factors that may facilitate the entry of SF medicines into the legitimate pharmaceutical supply chain and discusses their impact on patient access to medicines. Lack of essential medicines in public health facilities is an important factor that may contribute to increased demand for medicine-related out-of-pocket expenses from private health facilities, thus a likelihood for a patient purchasing SF medicine from unlicensed and illegal medicine outlets or unregulated websites. The need to increase medicine availability in the public sector by the Ministry of Health (MOH) is emphasized in addition to the strengthening of public procurement to cushion it from corruption and mismanagement. In addition, the MOH should promote local pharmaceutical manufacturing and implement a medicine pricing containment policy to avoid abuse and prevent overexploitation of patients, increase medicine price transparency, and reduce pharmaceutical supply chain distortion. Recommended regulatory reviews include accreditation of unlicensed illegal medicine outlets to facilitate accountability, regulatory oversight, and active surveillance. The national post-market surveillance regulatory capacity should be strengthened to improve rational medicine use. A 3-year diploma course should be replaced with a shorter 1- or 2-year pharmaceutical support staff training not eligible to superintend a pharmacy. The recommended legislative review includes a mandatory clause to enforce generic prescribing and the implementation of generic substitution by health workers. Unethical manipulative pharmaceutical marketing practices should carry stiffer penalties to deter malpractice. Future research areas include investigation of medicine prescribing and dispensing practices, medicine consumption studies, medicine price differences within different health sub-sectors, and between licensed pharmacies and unlicensed illegal medicine outlets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Martin Toroitich
- Trade Affairs Department, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Nairobi, Kenya
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Louise Dunford
- Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Rachel Armitage
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Sangeeta Tanna
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
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16
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Smith-Sreen J, Heerdegen ACS, Wirtz VJ, Kulkarni P, Machado M, Rockers PC. Commercial and Social Value of Pharmaceutical Industry-led Access Programs: Conceptual Framework and Descriptive Analysis. Health Syst Reform 2022; 8:e2057831. [PMID: 35583505 DOI: 10.1080/23288604.2022.2057831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmaceutical industry-led access programs are growing in number globally and are increasingly adopting a hybrid approach intended to generate commercial and social value in parallel. We developed and applied a new conceptual framework in a descriptive analysis of observable indicators measuring commercial and social value for 91 programs registered in the Access Observatory. We found that most programs had features consistent with the generation of commercial value, directly through revenue generation (50.0%), or indirectly by creating competitive advantage (70.3%). We also found that most programs were implemented in countries where the company has commercial products registered (85.5%). While many programs had features consistent with the generation of social value, it was difficult to ascertain the level of that value because most did not share data (83.5%) and had not been evaluated (74.7%). Future efforts by the global health community and the pharmaceutical industry should focus on strengthening measurement and reporting on commercial and social indicators of industry-led access programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Smith-Sreen
- CDC Center for Global Health, PHI/CDC Global Health Fellowship Program, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Priyanka Kulkarni
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa Machado
- Department of Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter C Rockers
- CDC Center for Global Health, PHI/CDC Global Health Fellowship Program, Lilongwe, Malawi
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17
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Mureyi D, Katena NA, Monera-Penduka T. Perceptions of diabetes patients and their caregivers regarding access to medicine in a severely constrained health system: A qualitative study in Harare, Zimbabwe. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000255. [PMID: 36962297 PMCID: PMC10021663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nearly half of all sub-Saharan African countries lack operational Diabetes Mellitus policies. This represents an opportunity to build reliable evidence to underpin such policies when they are eventually developed. Representing the interests of those with the experience of living with the condition in national diabetes policies is important, particularly the interests regarding medicine access, a key pillar in diabetes management. One way to achieve this representation is to publish patient perceptions. Patient perspectives are especially valuable in the context of diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa, where much of the empirical work has focused on clinical and epidemiological questions. We therefore captured the challenges and suggestions around medicine access articulated by a population of diabetes patients and their caregivers. This was a qualitative interpretivist study based on data from focus group discussions with adult diabetes patients and their caregivers. Eight FGDs of 4-13 participants each whose duration averaged 13.35 minutes were conducted. Participants were recruited from diabetes outpatient clinics at two health facilities in Harare. One site was Parirenyatwa Hospital, the largest public referral and teaching hospital in Zimbabwe. The other was a private for-profit facility. Ethics approval was granted by the Joint Research Ethics Committee for University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences and the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (Ref: JREC 295/18). Diabetes patients and their caregivers are interested in affordable access to medicines of acceptable form and quality with minimum effort. Yet, they often find themselves privileging one dimension of access over another e.g. prioritising affordability over acceptability. Based on participants' articulations, a sound diabetes policy should: 1. provide for financial and consumer protections, 2. regulate healthcare business practices and medicine prices, 3. provide for a responsive health workforce attentive to patient problems, 4. accord the same importance to diabetes that is accorded to communicable diseases, 5. decentralize diabetes management to lower levels of care, 6. limit wastage, corruption, bad macro-financial governance and a lack of transparency about how funding for health is used, and 7. provide support to strengthen patients' and caregivers' psychosocial networks. A diabetes policy acceptable to patients is one infused with principles of good governance, fairness, inclusiveness and humanity; characterised by: financial protection and price regulation, consumer protection, equity in the attention accorded to different diseases, decentralized service delivery, inclusion of patient voice in political decision-making, a responsive compassionate health workforce, psychosocial support for patients and their caregivers and allocative efficiency and transparency in public expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dudzai Mureyi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nyaradzai Arster Katena
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Primary Healthcare Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tsitsi Monera-Penduka
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
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18
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Wirtz VJ, Servan-Mori E, Mungai J, Mboya J, Rockers PC, Onyango MA, Kiragu ZW, Laing R. Probability and amount of medicines expenditure according to health insurance status in Kenya: A household survey in eight counties. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 37:725-733. [PMID: 34674309 PMCID: PMC9298347 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background National and county governments in Kenya have introduced various health insurance schemes to protect households against financial hardship as a result of large health expenditure. This study examines the relationship between health insurance and medicine expenditure in eight counties in Kenya. Methods A cross‐sectional study of collected primary data via household survey in eight counties was performed. Three measures of medicine expenditure were analysed: the probability of any out‐of‐pocket expenditure (OOPE) on medicines in the last 4 weeks; amount of OOPE on medicines; and OOPE on medicines as a proportion of total OOPE on health. Results Out of the 452 individuals, those with health insurance (n = 225) were significantly different from individuals without health insurance (n = 227): overall, they were older, had a higher level of educational attainment and possessed more assets. Adjusting for covariates, individuals with health insurance had a reduced probability of OOPE on medicines (0.40, CI95% 0.197–0.827) and spent proportionally less on medicines out of total health expenditure (0.50, CI95% 0.301–0.926). Conclusions Kenya has made great strides to scale up Universal Health Coverage including access to medicines. Prioritising enrollment of low‐income individuals with non‐communicable diseases can accelerate access to medicines and financial protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Edson Servan-Mori
- Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - John Mungai
- Innovation for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Mboya
- Innovation for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter C Rockers
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Monica A Onyango
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zana Wangari Kiragu
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard Laing
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Tougher S, Hanson K, Goodman CA. Does subsidizing the private for-profit sector benefit the poor? Evidence from national antimalarial subsidies in Nigeria and Uganda. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2021; 30:2510-2530. [PMID: 34291524 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Subsidising quality-assured artemisinin combination therapies (QAACTs) for distribution in the for-profit sector is a controversial strategy for improving access. The Affordable Medicines Facility-malaria (AMFm) was the largest initiative of this kind. We assessed the equity of AMFm in two ways using nationally representative household survey data on care seeking for children from Nigeria and Uganda. First, the delivery of subsidized drugs through the for-profit sector via AMFm was compared with two alternative mechanisms: subsidized delivery in public health facilities and unsubsidized delivery in the for-profit sector. Second, we developed a novel extension of benefit incidence analysis (BIA) methods based on the concept of pass-through, and applied them to Uganda. In Nigeria, the use of subsidized QAACTs from both public health facilities and for-profit outlets was concentrated among the rich, while in Uganda, the use of QAACTs from both sources was concentrated among the poor. Similarly, the BIA of AMFm found that the intervention was pro-poor in Uganda. Unsubsidized antimalarials from for-profit outlets were distributed equally across wealth quintiles in both countries. Private sector subsidies may have a role in bolstering access to effective malaria treatments, including among the poor, but the equity impact of subsidies may depend on context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Tougher
- Department of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kara Hanson
- Department of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Catherine A Goodman
- Department of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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20
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Ashigbie PG, Rockers PC, Laing RO, Cabral HJ, Onyango MA, Mboya J, Arends D, Wirtz VJ. Phone-based monitoring to evaluate health policy and program implementation in Kenya. Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:444-453. [PMID: 33724372 PMCID: PMC8128015 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring and evaluating policies and programs in low- and middle-income countries are often difficult because of the lack of routine data. High mobile phone ownership in these countries presents an opportunity for efficient data collection through telephone interviews. This study examined the feasibility of collecting data on medicines through telephone interviews in Kenya. Data on the availability and prices of medicines at 137 health facilities and 639 patients were collected in September 2016 via in-person interviews. Between December 2016 and December 2017, monthly telephone interviews were conducted with health facilities and patients. An unannounced in-person interview was conducted with respondents to validate the telephone interview within 24 h. A bottom-up itemization costing approach was used to estimate the costs of telephone and in-person data collection. In-depth interviews were conducted with data collectors and respondents to explore their perceptions on both modes of data collection. The level of agreement between data on medicines availability collected through phone and in-person interviews was strong at the health facility level [kappa = 0.90; confidence interval (CI) 0.88–0.92] and moderate at the household level (kappa = 0.50, CI 0.39–0.60). Price data from telephone and in-person interviews showed strong intra-class correlation at health facilities [intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.96] and moderate intra-class correlation at households (ICC = 0.47). The cost per phone interview at health facilities and households were $19.73 and $16.86, respectively, compared to $186.20 for a baseline in-person interview. Participants considered telephone interviews to be more convenient. In countries with high cell phone penetration, telephone data collection should be considered in monitoring and evaluating public health programs especially at health facilities. Additional strategies may be needed to optimize this mode of data collection at the household level. Variations in cell phone ownership, telecommunication network and data collection costs across different settings may limit the generalizability of the findings from this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Ashigbie
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Peter C Rockers
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Richard O Laing
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Faculty of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa
| | - Howard J Cabral
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Monica A Onyango
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - John Mboya
- Innovations for Poverty Action, Sandalwood Lane, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniella Arends
- Faculty of Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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21
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Trapani D, Curigliano G. The global landscape of drug development of trastuzumab biosimilars. J Cancer Policy 2021; 28:100273. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2021.100273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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22
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Ramirez CL, Gajeelee A, Desharnais B, Sherman J, Waters D. Seeking truer measures of success: Moving toward more rigorous evaluations of industry-led access to medicines programs. J Glob Health 2021; 11:03062. [PMID: 34055323 PMCID: PMC8141331 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.03062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cherie Lynn Ramirez
- Global Access in Action, Harvard University Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Simmons University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ashveena Gajeelee
- Global Access in Action, Harvard University Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jenna Sherman
- Global Access in Action, Harvard University Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dexter Waters
- Global Access in Action, Harvard University Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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23
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Ng G, Raskin E, Wirtz VJ, Banks KP, Laing RO, Kiragu ZW, Rockers PC, Onyango MA. Coping with access barriers to non-communicable disease medicines: qualitative patient interviews in eight counties in Kenya. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:417. [PMID: 33941177 PMCID: PMC8094552 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06433-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is rich literature on barriers to medicines access for the treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in high-income countries. Less is known about low- and middle-income countries, in particular the differences in coping with medicines access barrier by household wealth and disease. The aim of this study was to compare the coping mechanisms of patients with the lack of availability and affordability of cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes and asthma medicines in Kenya. Methods This qualitative study was part of a larger mixed methods evaluation study conducted in eight counties of Kenya from 2016 to 2019. Forty-nine patient interviews at study end line explored their NCD journey, perceptions of availability, stockouts and affordability of NCD medicines, their enrollment in health insurance, and their relationship with the private chemists. Transcribed interviews were coded using Nvivo software. A two-step thematic approach was used, first conducting a priority coding which was followed by coding emerging and divergent themes. Results Overall, we found that patients across all disease types and wealth level faced frequent medicine stock-outs at health facilities. In the absence of NCD medicines at health facilities, patients coped by purchasing medicines from local chemists, switching health facilities, requesting a different prescription, admitting oneself to an inpatient facility, establishing connections with local staff to receive notifications of medicine stock, stocking up on medicines, utilizing social capital to retrieve medicines from larger cities and obtaining funds from a network of friends and family. Categorizing by disease revealed patterns in coping choices that were based on the course of the disease, severity of the symptoms and the direct and indirect costs incurred as a result of stockouts of NCD medicines. Categorizing by wealth highlight differences in households’ capacity to cope with the unavailability and unaffordability of NCD medicines. Conclusions The type of coping strategies to access barriers differ by NCD and wealth group. Although Kenya has made important strides to address NCD medicines access challenges, prioritizing enrollment of low wealth households in county health insurance programs and ensuring continuous availability of essential NCD medicines at public health facilities close to the patient homes could improve access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Ng
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown, 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, MA, 02118, Boston, USA
| | - Elizabeth Raskin
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown, 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, MA, 02118, Boston, USA
| | - Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown, 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, MA, 02118, Boston, USA.
| | - Kathleen P Banks
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown, 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, MA, 02118, Boston, USA
| | - Richard O Laing
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown, 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, MA, 02118, Boston, USA.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zana W Kiragu
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown, 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, MA, 02118, Boston, USA
| | - Peter C Rockers
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown, 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, MA, 02118, Boston, USA
| | - Monica A Onyango
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Crosstown, 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, MA, 02118, Boston, USA
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Cavagna P, Kramoh KE, Sidy Ali A, Balde DM, Traore AK, Khoury S, Jouven X, Antignac M. The importance of considering cultural and environmental elements in an interventional model of care to fight hypertension in Africa. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2021; 23:1269-1270. [PMID: 33830601 PMCID: PMC8678716 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Cavagna
- Department of Pharmacy, St Antoine Hospital, AP-HP Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Abdallahi Sidy Ali
- Centre National de Cardiologie, Cabinet de Cardiologie, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Dahdi M Balde
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
| | | | - Stephanie Khoury
- INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Jouven
- INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Cardiovascular Epidemiology Department, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Cardiology Department, AP-HP Centre, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Marie Antignac
- Department of Pharmacy, St Antoine Hospital, AP-HP Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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25
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Kiragu ZW, Gathecha G, Mwangi MK, Ndegwa Z, Pastakia S, Nyagah D, Cizungu RN, Takah Mutwiri M, Ndolo M, Wirtz VJ. Access to Medicines for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS) during COVID-19 in Kenya: A Descriptive Commentary. Health Syst Reform 2021; 7:e1984865. [PMID: 34748436 DOI: 10.1080/23288604.2021.1984865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence shows that those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are at higher risk for serious illness and mortality from COVID-19. In Kenya, about 50% of the COVID-19 patients who have died had an NCD. We sought to describe the challenges faced in accessing NCD medicines in Kenya during the pandemic, through a descriptive narrative informed by key stakeholders engaged in NCD service delivery and decision-making. Access to NCD medicines was affected at three levels, service delivery, health facility information systems and the medicines supply chain to health facilities. In response to these gaps, the Ministry of Health released clear directives and interim guidelines for continuity of NCD service delivery. However, implementation of guidelines was not apparent from conversations with county officials or from assessment of county services by the Ministry. Rather, heterogeneity was observed in counties' responsiveness to patient needs, where 5 out of 13 counties used mHealth technologies, while 5 had no established system to reach patients. COVID-19 amplified gaps that already existed in the system-particularly around lack of robust supply chains and sub-optimal health information systems. This descriptive paper will be useful to policy makers to provide a summary of the key challenges faced in accessing NCD medicines, identify gaps in medicines delivery, and make case for establishment of a more equitable health system to meet the needs of lower-income NCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zana Wangari Kiragu
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gladwell Gathecha
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Martin K Mwangi
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Zachary Ndegwa
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sonak Pastakia
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, Eldoret, Kenya.,Center for Health Equity and Innovation, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Daniel Nyagah
- Embu County Health Department, County Government, Embu, Kenya
| | | | - Mariana Takah Mutwiri
- Department of Marketing and Strategy, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies, Kenya
| | | | - Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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26
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Annual Primary Care 2030 Convening: Creating an Enabling Ecosystem for Person-Centered Primary Healthcare Models to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Ann Glob Health 2020; 86:106. [PMID: 32874937 PMCID: PMC7442168 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The 2019 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage and the 2018 Declaration of Astana reaffirm the highest level of political commitment by United Nations Member States to achieve access to health services and primary healthcare for all. Both documents emphasize the importance of person-centered care in both healthcare services and systems design. However, there is limited consensus on how to build a strong primary healthcare system to achieve these goals. Methods: We convened a diverse group of global stakeholders for a high-level dialogue on how to create a person-centered primary healthcare system, using the country examples of the Republic of Kenya and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. We focused our discussion on four themes to enable the creation of person-centered primary healthcare systems in Kenya and Vietnam: (1) strengthened community, person and patient engagement in subnational and national decision making; (2) improved service delivery; (3) impactful use of innovation and technology; and (4) meaningful and timely use of measurement and data. Findings: Here, we present a summary of our convening’s proceedings, with specific insights on how to enable a person-centered primary healthcare system within each of these four domains. Conclusions: Following the 2019 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage and the 2018 Declaration of Astana, there is high-level commitment and global consensus that a person-centered approach is necessary to achieve high-quality primary healthcare and universal health coverage. We offer our recommendations to the global community to catalyze further discourse and inform policy-making and program development on the path to Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
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27
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Sismondo S. Access to Medicines, Access to Markets. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2020; 5:58. [PMID: 33869464 PMCID: PMC8022690 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2020.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This article explores some uses by the pharmaceutical industry of language from the "access to medicines" movement in global health, sometimes for goals almost completely opposite to those of the movement. Important in the context of extremely expensive treatments, the industry draws on the idealistic discourse around access to medicines to create a very specific continuity between the needs of the Global South and its own marketing needs. By focusing on "access," the industry can promote the opening up of markets in relatively wealthy countries with important public or highly regulated payers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Sismondo
- Department of Philosophy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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28
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Trapani D, Curigliano G, Alexandru E, Sternberg CN. The global landscape of drug development for kidney cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 89:102061. [PMID: 32738737 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Renal cell cancer (RCC) is the third most diagnosed genitourinary malignancy in the world. Nearly a half of the diagnoses and 60% of related deaths occur in low-middle income countries (LMs), where prognosis is generally poor. We conducted a systematic research of ClinicalTrials.gov, searching RCC ongoing studies for adult patients. We included 205 trials in the final analysis. The enrolling centers were mainly distributed in high-income settings (88.9%). We estimated 94.6% of the trial population was enrolled in only five countries and none in LMs. Clinical drug development for RCC is driven by early phase studies, mainly assessing small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy or the combination. Sixty percent of the trials were industry sponsored. Only a minority of the trials were in the early setting of care, adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. Disparities in drug development in LMs mirror a common underestimation of the value of research among the national priorities in cancer health planning, resulting in poor ethnic diversity and inclusiveness. This commonly results in incomplete knowledge of activity and safety of medicines across different ethnic groups, with consequences on priorities for cancer interventions and estimates of benefit in LMs patients. The use of RCC as a case study for inclusiveness suggests poor inclusion of non- Caucasian populations in the trials, especially trials testing new immunotherapy and targeted agents where RCC drug development is more pronounced, resulting in issues of generalizability in other ethnic groups when these compounds are approved with no ethnic restrictions or specifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Trapani
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milano, Milano, Italy; European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - G Curigliano
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milano, Milano, Italy; European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Eniu Alexandru
- Department of Breast Tumors, Cancer Institute Ion Chiricuta, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - C N Sternberg
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, New York, NY USA.
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29
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Flor LS, Wilson S, Bhatt P, Bryant M, Burnett A, Camarda JN, Chakravarthy V, Chandrashekhar C, Chaudhury N, Cimini C, Colombara DV, Narayanan HC, Cortes ML, Cowling K, Daly J, Duber H, Ellath Kavinkare V, Endlich P, Fullman N, Gabert R, Glucksman T, Harris KP, Loguercio Bouskela MA, Maia J, Mandile C, Marcolino MS, Marshall S, McNellan CR, Medeiros DSD, Mistro S, Mulakaluri V, Murphree J, Ng M, Oliveira JAQ, Oliveira MG, Phillips B, Pinto V, Polzer Ngwato T, Radant T, Reitsma MB, Ribeiro AL, Roth G, Rumel D, Sethi G, Soares DA, Tamene T, Thomson B, Tomar H, Ugliara Barone MT, Valsangkar S, Wollum A, Gakidou E. Community-based interventions for detection and management of diabetes and hypertension in underserved communities: a mixed-methods evaluation in Brazil, India, South Africa and the USA. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e001959. [PMID: 32503887 PMCID: PMC7279660 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As non-communicable disease (NCD) burden rises worldwide, community-based programmes are a promising strategy to bridge gaps in NCD care. The HealthRise programme sought to improve hypertension and diabetes management for underserved communities in nine sites across Brazil, India, South Africa and the USA between 2016 and 2018. This study presents findings from the programme's endline evaluation. METHODS The evaluation utilises a mixed-methods quasi-experimental design. Process indicators assess programme implementation; quantitative data examine patients' biometric measures and qualitative data characterise programme successes and challenges. Programme impact was assessed using the percentage of patients meeting blood pressure and A1c treatment targets and tracking changes in these measures over time. RESULTS Almost 60 000 screenings, most of them in India, resulted in 1464 new hypertension and 295 new diabetes cases across sites. In Brazil, patients exhibited statistically significant reductions in blood pressure and A1c. In Shimla, India, and in South Africa, country with the shortest implementation period, there were no differences between patients served by facilities in HealthRise areas relative to comparison areas. Among participating patients with diabetes in Hennepin and Ramsey counties and hypertension patients in Hennepin County, the percentage of HealthRise patients meeting treatment targets at endline was significantly higher relative to comparison group patients. Qualitative analysis identified linking different providers, services, communities and information systems as positive HealthRise attributes. Gaps in health system capacities and sociodemographic factors, including poverty, low levels of health education and limited access to nutritious food, are remaining challenges. CONCLUSIONS Findings from Brazil and the USA indicate that the HealthRise model has the potential to improve patient outcomes. Short implementation periods and strong emphasis on screening may have contributed to the lack of detectable differences in other sites. Community-based care cannot deliver its full potential if sociodemographic and health system barriers are not addressed in tandem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa S Flor
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shelley Wilson
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Paurvi Bhatt
- Medtronic Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Miranda Bryant
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aaron Burnett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Regions Hospital, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joseph N Camarda
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | - Christiane Cimini
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Teofilo Otoni, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Matheus Lopes Cortes
- Anisio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Krycia Cowling
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jessica Daly
- Medtronic Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Herbert Duber
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Patrick Endlich
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Teofilo Otoni, MG, Brazil
| | - Nancy Fullman
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rose Gabert
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas Glucksman
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Katie Panhorst Harris
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Junia Maia
- Telehealth Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Milena S Marcolino
- Telehealth Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Claire R McNellan
- National CASA/GAL Association for Children, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Danielle Souto de Medeiros
- Anisio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Sóstenes Mistro
- Anisio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Vasudha Mulakaluri
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Marie Ng
- IBM Watson Health, San Jose, California, USA
| | - J A Q Oliveira
- Telehealth Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Márcio Galvão Oliveira
- Anisio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Bryan Phillips
- Health Policy and Management, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vânia Pinto
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Teofilo Otoni, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Tia Radant
- Regions Hospital, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marissa B Reitsma
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Antonio Luiz Ribeiro
- Telehealth Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gregory Roth
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Davi Rumel
- Research and Teaching Institute, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- School of Medicine, Municipal University Sao Caetano do Sul, Sao Caetano do Sul, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gaurav Sethi
- MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Daniela Arruda Soares
- Anisio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Tsega Tamene
- Pillsbury United Communities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Blake Thomson
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Harsha Tomar
- MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Mark Thomaz Ugliara Barone
- Medtronic Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Global Health Leaders, Public Health Institute, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sameer Valsangkar
- Research and Monitoring Systems, The Catholic Health Association of India, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | - Emmanuela Gakidou
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, Washington, USA
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30
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Ashigbie PG, Rockers PC, Laing RO, Cabral HJ, Onyango MA, Buleti JPL, Wirtz VJ. Availability and prices of medicines for non-communicable diseases at health facilities and retail drug outlets in Kenya: a cross-sectional survey in eight counties. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035132. [PMID: 32414824 PMCID: PMC7232616 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to determine the availability and prices of medicines for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in health facilities and private for-profit drug outlets in Kenya. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS All public and non-profit health facilities in eight counties (Embu, Kakamega, Kwale, Makueni, Narok, Nyeri, Samburu and West Pokot) that purchased medicines from the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies, a major wholesaler, were surveyed in September 2016. For each health facility, one nearby private for-profit drug outlet was also surveyed. Data on availability and price were analysed for 24 NCD and 8 acute medicine formulations. Availability was analysed separately for medicines in the national Essential Medicines List (EML) and those in the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs). Median price ratios were estimated using the International Medical Products Price Guide as a reference. RESULTS 59 public and 78 non-profit facilities and 135 drug outlets were surveyed. Availability of NCD medicines was highest in private for-profit drug outlets (61.7% and 29.3% for medicines on the EML and STGs, respectively). Availability of STG medicines increased with increasing level of care of facilities: 16.1% at dispensaries to 31.7% at secondary referral facilities. The mean proportion of availability for NCD medicines listed in the STGs (0.25) was significantly lower than for acute medicines (0.61), p<0.0001. The proportion of public facilities giving medicines for free (0.47) was significantly higher than the proportion of private non-profit facilities giving medicines for free (0.09) (p<0.0001). The mean price ratio of NCD medicines was significantly higher than for acute medicines in non-profit facilities (4.1 vs 2.0, respectively; p=0.0076), and in private for-profit drug outlets (3.5 vs 1.7; p=0.0013). CONCLUSION Patients with NCDs in Kenya appear to have limited access to medicines. Increasing access should be a focus of efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Ashigbie
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter C Rockers
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard O Laing
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape School of Public Health, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Howard J Cabral
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Monica A Onyango
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Umeh CA, Rockers PC, Laing R, Wagh O, Wirtz VJ. Public reporting on pharmaceutical industry-led access programs: alignment with the WHO medicine programs evaluation checklist. J Pharm Policy Pract 2020; 13:5. [PMID: 32226630 PMCID: PMC7098075 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-020-0204-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There has been increased demand for greater public accountability and transparency of private sector-led global health partnership programs. This study critically reviews and pilot tests the World Health Organization (WHO) medicine program checklist as a framework for public reporting and assessing of programs. Methods We reviewed each question on the WHO checklist for clarity and usability. Next, we pilot tested the subset of checklist questions focused on program assessment. We extracted and analyzed publicly available information on one randomly selected program from each of the 20 largest research-based biopharmaceutical companies. For each program, we assessed whether publicly available information allowed for an assessment of each relevant question in the checklist. Results Checklist questions fit in four main categories: [1] national health and development plans, needs, capacity, laws and policies; [2] financial, performance, and public accountability; [3] risk management and mitigation strategies; and [4] long-term sustainability. Nearly all (21 of 22) questions in the checklist require information best provided by companies; one question requires information best provided by governments.Programs frequently reported on the public health needs of their programs (100%), program objectives and activities (100%) and the actual or expected program outputs (95%). There was less information on program alignment with country plans and capacity (50%), detailed program monitoring and evaluation plan (20%), risks mitigation strategies (5%), program needs assessment (5%), and additional resources required from or contributed by government (0%). Conclusion The WHO checklist of key considerations for evaluating proposals for access to medicine programs could be a useful framework for public reporting of program information as most of checklist questions ask for data that should be available to those leading the program. Further revisions of the WHO checklist will help refine it to improve clarity and content validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuemeka A Umeh
- 1Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Peter C Rockers
- 1Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Richard Laing
- 1Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 USA.,2Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ovi Wagh
- 1Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Veronika J Wirtz
- 1Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 USA
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Godman B, Basu D, Pillay Y, Mwita JC, Rwegerera GM, Anand Paramadhas BD, Tiroyakgosi C, Okwen PM, Niba LL, Nonvignon J, Sefah I, Oluka M, Guantai AN, Kibuule D, Kalemeera F, Mubita M, Fadare J, Ogunleye OO, Distiller LA, Rampamba EM, Wing J, Mueller D, Alfadl A, Amu AA, Matsebula Z, Kalungia A, Zaranyika T, Masuka N, Wale J, Hill R, Kurdi A, Timoney A, Campbell S, Meyer JC. Review of Ongoing Activities and Challenges to Improve the Care of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Across Africa and the Implications for the Future. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:108. [PMID: 32265688 PMCID: PMC7098994 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There has been an appreciable increase in the number of people in Africa with metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in recent years as a result of a number of factors. Factors include lifestyle changes, urbanisation, and the growing consumption of processed foods coupled with increasing levels of obesity. Currently there are 19 million adults in Africa with diabetes, mainly T2DM (95%), estimated to grow to 47 million people by 2045 unless controlled. This has a considerable impact on morbidity, mortality and costs in the region. There are a number of issues to address to reduce the impact of T2DM including improving detection rates and current access to services alongside addressing issues of adherence to prescribed medicines. There are also high rates of co-morbidities with infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis in patients in Africa with T2DM that require attention. Objective Document ongoing activities across Africa to improve the care of patients with T2DM especially around issues of identification, access, and adherence to changing lifestyles and prescribed medicines. In addition, discussing potential ways forward to improve the care of patients with T2DM based on ongoing activities and experiences including addressing key issues associated with co-morbidities with infectious diseases. Our Approach Contextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet based publications of national approaches coupled with input from senior level government, academic and other professionals from across Africa to provide future guidance. Ongoing Activities A number of African countries are actively instigating programmes to improve the care of patients with T2DM starting with improved diagnosis. This recognises the growing burden of non-communicable diseases across Africa, which has been neglected in the past. Planned activities include programmes to improve detection rates and address key issues with diet and lifestyle changes, alongside improving monitoring of care and activities to enhance adherence to prescribed medicines. In addition, addressing potential complexities involving diabetes patients with infectious disease co-morbidities. It is too early to fully assess the impact of such activities. Conclusion There are a number of ongoing activities across Africa to improve the management of patients with diabetes including co-morbidities. However, more needs to be done considering the high and growing burden of T2DM in Africa. Ongoing research will help further benefit resource allocation and subsequent care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Debashis Basu
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Yogan Pillay
- HIV & AIDS, TB and Maternal, Child and Women's Health, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Julius C Mwita
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Godfrey Mutashambara Rwegerera
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Medicine, Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Celda Tiroyakgosi
- Botswana Essential Drugs Action Program, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Patrick Mbah Okwen
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Loveline Lum Niba
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon.,Department of Public Health, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
| | | | - Israel Sefah
- Department of Pharmacy, Keta Municipal Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Keta, Ghana
| | - Margaret Oluka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anastasia N Guantai
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Francis Kalemeera
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Mwangana Mubita
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.,Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Olayinka O Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria.,Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Larry A Distiller
- Centre for Diabetes & Endocrinology (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Enos M Rampamba
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Pharmacy, Tshilidzini Regional Hospital, Limpopo Department Of Health, Shayandima, South Africa
| | - Jeffrey Wing
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Debjani Mueller
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Charlotte Maxeke Medical Research Cluster, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Abubakr Alfadl
- National Medicines Board, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan.,Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Aubrey Kalungia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Trust Zaranyika
- Department of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nyasha Masuka
- Independent Health Systems Consultant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Janney Wale
- Independent Consumer Advocate, Brunswick, VIC, Australia
| | - Ruaraidh Hill
- Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, Liverpool University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Angela Timoney
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,NHS Lothian Director of Pharmacy, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Campbell
- Centre for Primary Care, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
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Macquart de Terline D, Kane A, Kramoh KE, Ali Toure I, Mipinda JB, Diop IB, Nhavoto C, Balde DM, Ferreira B, Dèdonougbo Houenassi M, Ikama MS, Kingue S, Kouam Kouam C, Takombe JL, Limbole E, Mfeukeu Kuate L, N’guetta R, Damorou JM, Sesso Z, Sidy Ali A, Perier MC, Azizi M, Empana JP, Jouven X, Antignac M. Factors associated with poor adherence to medication among hypertensive patients in twelve low and middle income Sub-Saharan countries. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219266. [PMID: 31291293 PMCID: PMC6619761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Over the past few decades, the prevalence of hypertension has dramatically increased in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poor adherence has been identified as a major cause of failure to control hypertension. Scarce data are available in Africa. Aims We assessed adherence to medication and identified socioeconomics, clinical and treatment factors associated with low adherence among hypertensive patients in 12 sub-Saharan African countries. Method We conducted a cross-sectional survey in urban clinics of both low and middle income countries. Data were collected by physicians on demographics, treatment and clinical data among hypertensive patients attending the clinics. Adherence was assessed by questionnaires completed by the patients. Factors associated with low adherence were investigated using logistic regression with a random effect on countries. Results There were 2198 individuals from 12 countries enrolled in the study. Overall, 678 (30.8%), 738 (33.6%), 782 (35.6%) participants had respectively low, medium and high adherence to antihypertensive medication. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of traditional medicine (OR: 2.28, 95%CI [1.79–2.90]) and individual wealth index (low vs. high wealth: OR: 1.86, 95%CI [1.35–2.56] and middle vs. high wealth: OR: 1.42, 95%CI [1.11–1.81]) were significantly and independently associated with poor adherence to medication. In stratified analysis, these differences in adherence to medication according to individual wealth index were observed in low-income countries (p<0.001) but not in middle-income countries (p = 0.17). In addition, 26.5% of the patients admitted having stopped their treatment due to financial reasons and this proportion was 4 fold higher in the lowest than highest wealth group (47.8% vs 11.4%) (p<0.001). Conclusion This study revealed the high frequency of poor adherence in African patients and the associated factors. These findings should be useful for tailoring future programs to tackle hypertension in low income countries that are better adapted to patients, with a potential associated enhancement of their effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Macquart de Terline
- Department of Pharmacy, Saint Antoine hospital, HUEP, AP-HP, Paris, France
- Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, INSERM U970, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France
- Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Adama Kane
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Ibrahim Ali Toure
- Internal Medicine and Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Lamorde, Niamey, Niger
| | | | | | | | - Dadhi M. Balde
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
| | | | | | - Méo Stéphane Ikama
- Cardiology Department, National University Hospital of Brazzaville, Marien NGOUABI University, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Samuel Kingue
- University of Yaoundé, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Emmanuel Limbole
- Department of Internal Medicine of la Gombe (CMCG), Department of Internal Medicine, Ngaliema Hospital, Kinshasa; Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marie-Cécile Perier
- Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, INSERM U970, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Michel Azizi
- Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
- Hypertension Unit, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d’Investigation Clinique, Paris, France
| | - Jean Philippe Empana
- Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, INSERM U970, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Jouven
- Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, INSERM U970, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France
- Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
- Department of Cardiology, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Marie Antignac
- Department of Pharmacy, Saint Antoine hospital, HUEP, AP-HP, Paris, France
- Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, INSERM U970, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France
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Novartis Access: a small step towards increased access for non-communicable disease care. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2019; 7:e398-e399. [PMID: 30799144 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30049-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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