title: [Lessons learned from drug supplies for primary health care].
abstract: Drug supply strategies have not been widely included in Latin American health reform programs. National efforts, when they have included such strategies, have focused on supporting drug availability for inpatient treatment and, in some cases, for ambulatory treatment of low prevalence and high-cost diseases. Nevertheless, some innovative drug supply programs for primary health care have been implemented in many countries. This article reviews and systematizes recent experiences with the supply of drugs in Latin American countries. Firstly, this article analyzes four phases of the cycle for managing drugs: selection, procurement, distribution, and use, and; secondly, it identifies lessons learned and some characteristics of efficient drug supply systems. Conclusions emphasize experiences which have not only achieved supply at low costs, but also have increased the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of primary health care, improved prescriptions, and strengthened the network.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios en Gestión y Economía de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. federico@federicotovar.com.ar
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tobar
mesh_terms: D016527:Drug Costs; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D007843:Latin America; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011320:Primary Health Care
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations