Regulation of mark-up on medicine prices in Zimbabwe: a pilot survey from 92 community pharmacies in the metropolitan area of Harare

Hilma N Nakambale (), Penelope Tambama and Varsha Bangalee
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Hilma N Nakambale: University of Washington
Penelope Tambama: University of KwaZulu- Natal
Varsha Bangalee: University of KwaZulu- Natal

Health Economics Review, 2024, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Background Medicine pricing in the community pharmacy sector in Zimbabwe significantly influences accessibility to health care. In this pilot survey, we investigated how community pharmacies in Zimbabwe apply various mark-up strategies to essential and non-essential medicines, and gathered community pharmacists’ perspectives on mark-up regulation. Methods Using an adapted methodology endorsed by the World Health Organization and Health Action International for studying medicine prices and availability, we conducted a quantitative cross-sectional pilot survey for 46 medicines (31 essential and 15 non-essential) identified using the Zimbabwe Essential Medicines List and classified according to the Vital, Essential, and Non-essential (VEN) tool. We conducted the pilot survey in 92 community pharmacies in the metropolitan area of Harare, Zimbabwe. Results We gathered a total of 92 responses from 167 distributed questionnaires. The most prevalent mark-up strategy was the cost-plus fixed percentage.The median mark-up for all medicines in the community pharmacies was 60% (interquartile range 50- 82%). We found a statistically significant difference in the median mark-up by essentiality of medicines (p

Keywords: Mark-up; Essential medicine; Pricing regulation; Affordability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1186/s13561-024-00574-8

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