[Availability of essential medications at primary level units of the Health Department of Tamaulipas, Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the availability of some essential drugs at the primary health care units of the Ministry of Health of Tamaulipas, Mexico.


METHODS
Between September and October 1998, all first level healthcare units of Tamaulipas' three sanitary jurisdictions were surveyed. Drug availability was assessed. The measurement instrument was a checklist of 56 drugs and 10 different supplies. For each drug and input the absolute number and the proportion of units with this drug or input was calculated. In the units where the drugs were available, the medians were calculated. The median of the total number of drugs available in all units was used as a global indicator. This same exercise was developed for each unit. Comparisons between the availability of these inputs in the units and stockrooms were also done. Stata 5.0 was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
None of the inspected units had full availability of all checklist drugs. The highest percentage of drug availability was 84% and the lowest was 32%. There was limited availability of antibiotics, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and iron deficiency drugs. The availability of oral rehydration salts and contraceptive and vaccine agents was acceptable.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare organizations must find alternative ways to improve access to drugs nationwide, in general, and availability of essential drugs in first level healthcare units, in particular. Two recent initiatives provide an optimistic outlook: decentralization of health services for the uninsured and the Generic Exchangeable Drugs Program, established nationwide in 1998.
Reséndez
C
C
Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México.
Garrido
F
F
Gómez-Dantés
O
O
D018954:Drugs, Essential; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico
D018954:Drugs, Essential