Drug Prices and Availability in Malaysia
Author Information
Author(s): Suzanne Hill
Hypothesis
How do drug prices and availability in Malaysia affect access to medicines?
Conclusion
The study found that drug prices in Malaysia are significantly higher than international reference prices, making many essential medicines unaffordable.
Supporting Evidence
- Prices of common medicines vary enormously between countries and often within countries.
- Many essential medicines would be unaffordable for a government worker based on a day's wages.
- The study documented significant variation in the prices of a standard sample of medicines in Malaysia.
Takeaway
This study looked at how much medicines cost in Malaysia and found that many people can't afford them because prices are too high.
Methodology
The study used a standard methodology for pricing surveys developed by Health Action International and the World Health Organisation.
Limitations
The study's sample size may not be representative of the entire population of Malaysia, which limits the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study included data from 20 public hospitals, 32 private pharmacies, and 20 dispensing doctors.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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