Indicator of access to medicines in relation to the multiple dimensions of access

In this research article, originally published in the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, researchers from Brazil and the UK outline a method for grouping the five access to medicines dimensions, proposed by Penchansky and Thomas, into a unique indicator from the user perspective. Access to essential medicines is one of the five indicators related to guaranteeing the right to health according to the United Nations, and one of the great challenges for public health across countries. Access to medicines is currently problematic in many lower and middle income countries (LMICs), with expenditure on medicines accounting for up to 70% of total healthcare expenditure,...