Evaluating the Price, Availability, and Affordability of Essential Medicines in Primary Healthcare Institutions: A Mixed Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Study in Jiangsu, China

Abstract

In terms of yearly changes, the prices of essential medicines have considerably decreased, and the availability of LPGs has slightly increased. However, the availability of medicines was found to be poor and there were regional differences in the availability and affordability of medicines among metropolitan and rural areas. Policy interventions targeting external factors associated with health resource allocation are essential and possible strategies include effective and efficient government investment mechanisms on primary healthcare.