Table 2.
12-point policy checklist for access to essential medicines applied to in national law. Data sources: 50–51.
| Checklist | Strong provisions in national medicines policies (n countries/71 countries) |
Strong provisions in legislation for universal health coverage (n countries/16 countries) |
Countries with strong provisions in UHC legislation for medicines affordability and financing for vulnerable groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Right to health | 13/71 countries (18.3%) | 9/16 countries (56.3%) | Text includes a universal entitlement to health coverage includes medicines: Colombia, Chile, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay |
| 2. State obligation to provide essential medicines | 17/71 countries (23.9%) | 8/16 countries (50.0%) | Text includes an absolute State obligation to realise or guarantee UHC and (affordable) access to medicines: Colombia, Chile, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Uruguay |
| 3. Transparency | 19/71 countries (26.8%) | 3/16 countries (19.8%) | Text requires that information or transparency about medicines affordability and accessibility be available to patients: Chile, Philippines, South Africa |
| 4. Participation & consultation | 2/71 countries (2.8%) | 3/16 countries (19.8%) | Text includes the principle of and a mechanism for the participation or consultation of patients or users in medicines policies: Chile, Colombia, Mexico |
| 5. Monitoring & evaluation | 15/71 countries (21.1%) | 2/16 countries (12.5%) | Text requires the State to monitor the affordability and/or accessibility of medicines for users with UHC: Mexico, Philippines |
| 6. Accountability & redress | 0/71 countries (0%) | 9/16 countries (56.3%) | Text includes the principle of or right to accountability as well as a non-judicial mechanism for patients to make complaints or seek redress: Algeria, Chile, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Turkey |
| 7. Selection of essential medicines | 44/71 countries (62.0%) | 7/16 countries (43.8%) | Text includes the principle of and a mechanism for (essential) medicines selection: Chile, Colombia, Ghana, Mexico, Nigeria, Indonesia, Uruguay |
| 8. Government financing | 24/71 countries (33.8%) | 5/16 countries (31.3%) | Text includes a clear State obligation to finance essential medicines or medicines in a UHC benefits package: Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Turkey |
| 9. Pool user contributions | 5/71 countries (7.0%) | 11/16 countries (68.8%) | Text requires the compulsory pre-payment of UHC contributions with exceptions for those who can not pay: Colombia, Chile, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Rwanda, Tunisia, Turkey |
| 10. International assistance and technical cooperation | 12/71 countries (16.9%) | 1/16 countries (6.3%) | Text requires that the State seek financial aid and/or technical assistance from the international community: Mexico |
| 11. Efficient and cost-effective spending | 43/71 countries (60.6%) | 7/16 countries (43.8%) | Text includes the principle of cost-effectiveness and/or efficiency, as well as one or more mechanisms applying these principles to medicines (i.e. health technology assessment): Colombia, Chile, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines, Turkey, Uruguay |
| 12. Financial protection of vulnerable groups | 17/71 countries (23.9%) | 9/16 countries (56.3%) | Text includes a clear State duty to finance a UHC package and/or essential medicines for vulnerable people: Chile, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Uruguay |