Problems in the Availability of Medicine for Patients with Chronic Diseases under the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tehran, Iran, and the Ways for Improving it

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ali Mojarad-Hefzabad 1
Haniyeh Sadat Sajadi 2
Fatemeh Soleymani 3
Meisam Seyedifar 4
1 PhD Student, Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Health Services Management, Knowledge Utilization Research Center, University Research and Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.22122/him.v18i4.4349
Abstract
Introduction: Given the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on routine healthcare delivery, access to the drugs needed was challenging for patients with chronic diseases. This study endeavored to identify the problems of these patients in accessing their medicine during COVID-19 and the proposed solutions from the perspective of concerned people.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured individual interviews. Participants (n = 34) were purposefully selected from health policymakers, physicians, pharmacists, and patients with chronic diseases in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Data were analyzed through the content analysis method.Results: Data analysis was categorized into six themes and 15 sub-themes. Primary challenges included medical care, accessing the required drugs, patient’s financial ability, and access to information. Strategies were related to governance situation in the drug sector and the drug supply chain.Conclusion: To improve patients' access to the medicine they need in crises, proper planning to supply the medicine, using the capacity of pharmacies and pharmacists, setting up systems related to telemedicine, and faster implementation of electronic prescription is recommended.

Keywords

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Health Information Management
Volume 18, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
Autumn 2021
Pages 138-144