title: [Factor associated with medicines utilization and expenditure in Mexico].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze medicine utilization and expenditure and associated factors in Mexico, as well as to discuss their implications for pharmaceutical policy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of a sample of 193,228 individuals from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012. Probability and amount of expenditure were estimated using logit, probit and quantile regression models, evaluating three dimensions of access to medicines: (1) likelihood of utilization of medicines in the event of a health problem, (2) probability of incurring expenses and (3) amount spent on medicines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals affiliated to IMSS were more likely to use medicines (OR=1.2, p<0.05). Being affiliated to the IMSS, ISSSTE or SP reduced the likelihood of spending compared to those without health insurance (about RM 0.7, p<0.01). Median expenditures varied between 195.3 and 274.2 pesos.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Factors associated with the use and expenditure on medicines indicate that inequities in the access to medicines persist.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors.forename: Veronika J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Evaluación y Encuestas, Dirección de Economía de la Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors.forename: Edson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serván-Mori
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors.forename: Ileana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Heredia-Pi
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors.forename: Anahí
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dreser
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ávila-Burgos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult