Affordability of medicines for patients with diabetes attending University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH),Enugu

Abstract

This study determined the affordability of medicines for diabetic patients attending the diabetic clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. The Study was a cross-sectional time-delimited, descriptive study of affordability of Medicines for diabetic patients aged >18 year s 18 years and who pay for medicines out of pocket. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information about patients and the prescription was assessed in terms of conformity with essential medicines list (EML), cost and ability to be completely filled by the patient. Data was analysed using EPI Info software.the results show that medicines prescribed for diabetes are unaffordable to the majority of patients who attend the UNTH diabetic clinic.