title: [Availability of psychotropic medications in health care facilities of the Ministry of Health of Peru, 2011].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Describe the availability of psychotropic medications for the treatment of mental disorders in the health care facilities of the Ministry of Health of Peru.
  
  
  METHODS
  Monthly inventory reports of the availability and consumption of medications in facilities of the Ministry of Health during 2011 were analyzed. Using a cross sectional design, the availability of seven classes of psychotropic medications was determined. Also, the level of care of the establishments and the level of decisional autonomy to purchase medications were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anti-anxiety medications were available in health facilities of all levels of care. Antidepressants and antipsychotics were available in about two thirds of hospitals and in less than 20% of health centers and small health clinics. The other four classes of psychotropic medications (lithium, hypnotics and sedatives, psychostimulants/ADHD, and anti-dementia drugs) were only available in hospitals and not in health centers and small health clinics. 5% of hospitals had a sufficient supply to meet the demand for the year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant gap in the availability of psychotropic medications in the health care facilities of the Ministry of Health of Peru. This was observed both in hospitals and in primary care facilities. Actions are needed in health policy and management, including more funding and greater mental health training for staff in primary care, among other initiatives.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School of Social Policy & Management, Brandeis University, EE.UU.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hodgkin
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.affiliation: Dirección General de Medicamentos Insumos y Drogas, Ministerio de Salud, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Maruja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crisante
authors.affiliation: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Fabián
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiestas
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006076:Government; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D010568:Peru; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs