Availability of Essential Medicines at a University Hospital in Addis Ababa, a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background:Though access to essential medicines(EMs) is a universal human right and the World Health Organization (WHO)  recommends at least 80% availability of EMs in healthcare facilities, about one-third of the world population does not have access to  EMs,particularly in Africa and Asia. In these regions, this figure reaches 50%. Studies in Ethiopia have also indicatedfrequent EMs  shortages in public health facilities.The current study aimed to assess the availability of EMs and the facility’s ability to provide the  needed necessary medicines in TikurAnbesa Specialized Hospital(TASH).

Methods:An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed in TASH from August to November 2020. Observational  checklists were used to assess the availability of 26 tracer medicines that are expected to be available in tertiary hospitals. Additionally,  125 outpatient encounters were prospectively assessed to determine the percentage of medicines dispensed from outpatient  pharmacies. SPSS 21.0.was utilized for the analysis. 

Result: The availability of EMs and the facility’s ability to provide the required  medication werefound to be 65.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Among the 26 tracer medicines assessed, 13(50%) experienced stockouts in  the past six months. Specifically, Quinine injection, Z-KM(AM)-LF-Eto-Cs, and Glucose 40% were out of stock for six months,while  Magnesium sulfate injection, Propranolol tablet, and Ketamine injection were stocked out for three months. 

Conclusion:The availability  of EMs in TASH was found to be low, with fifty percent of tracer medicines being stocked out in the past six months. Thus, it is crucial for  policymakers, pharmacy directors, hospital administrators, and logistic managers to work in harmony to ensure a continuous supply of  these essential medicines to the patients..