Article
Substance Abuse
Simran Benipal, Dalton R. Budhram, Krish Bilimoria, Hannah Woods, Ri Wang, Nav Persaud
Summary: The study found that tobacco dependence medicines are not included in the essential medicines lists of most countries. Out of 137 countries, only 34 listed at least one of the three tobacco dependence medicines.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Dalton Budhram, Simran Benipal, Krish Bilimoria, Darshanand Maraj, Ri Wang, Nav Persaud
Summary: The listing of more diabetes medicines on national essential medicines lists is associated with better population health outcomes. Additionally, GDP per capita and mean expenditure per person with diabetes are also correlated with diabetes health outcomes, while diabetes expenditure is not significantly associated.
DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Michael Sharland, Veronica Zanichelli, Loice Achieng Ombajo, Joel Bazira, Bernadette Cappello, Ronald Chitatanga, Pem Chuki, Sumanth Gandra, Haileyesus Getahun, Stephan Harbarth, Mark Loeb, Marc Mendelson, Lorenzo Moja, Celine Pulcini, Hatim Sati, Evelina Tacconelli, Mei Zeng, Benedikt Huttner
Summary: AWaRe is a WHO system that classifies antibiotics based on their spectrum of activity and potential for antibiotic resistance development. The WHO aims for at least 60% of prescribed antibiotics globally to be from the Access category, with narrow spectrum and low potential for resistance, by 2023. The AWaRe Book provides simple guidance for empiric antibiotic prescribing to improve the appropriateness of antibiotic use.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Luyan Cheng, Caiyun Li, Xuefang Zhang, Yongfa Chen, Jianzhou Yan
Summary: This study examined the consistency between China's essential medicine system and clinical treatment guidelines, and proposed suggestions to improve the matching degree and consistency.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kristina Jenei, Zeba Aziz, Christopher Booth, Bernadette Cappello, Francesco Ceppi, Elisabeth G. E. de Vries, Antonio Fojo, Bishal Gyawali, Andre Ilbawi, Dorothy Lombe, Manju Sengar, Richard Sullivan, Dario Trapani, Benedikt D. Huttner, Lorenzo Moja
Summary: The selection of cancer medicines for national procurement requires consideration of various factors, and the WHO has implemented updated processes and selection principles to promote the procurement of high-value essential cancer medicines.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Muhammad A. Rahman, Yusuf Babaye, Amritha Bhat, Pamela Y. Collins, Christopher G. Kemp
Summary: Access to effective mental health services in LMICs is limited, with significant disparities in the availability of essential medications like amitriptyline and diazepam. Efforts to integrate mental health services into primary care and expand access to essential mental health medicines are warranted.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Evangelia Razis, Marie Kassapian, Charitini Andriakopoulou, Yehoda M. Martei, Shalini Jayasekar Zurn, Nazik Hammad, Yannick Romero, Urania Dafni, Andre M. Ilbawi, Dario Trapani
Summary: This study found that there is a lack of global comprehensiveness in national cancer control plans (NCCPs), particularly in policies related to financial hardships and access to cancer medicines. Specification of budget allocations, policy of protection from catastrophic health expenditure, and national treatment guidelines play a role in ensuring consistent policies on essential cancer medicines.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Johnny Ludvigsson, Majaliwa Edna, Kaushik Ramaiya
Summary: In several low and middle income countries, many patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) are often undiagnosed, leading to a low incidence rate. This study focused on T1D in children and young people in Tanzania, a country with low income and limited resources. Analyses of casebooks, statistics, and information from various organizations were conducted, revealing that although the incidence rate is low in several areas, the number of patients has increased significantly in recent years due to increased awareness. Patients often present with typical symptoms of T1D and poor blood glucose control, with complications developing at a short duration of diabetes.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
A. Green, R. Lyus, M. Ocan, A. M. Pollock, P. Brhlikova
Summary: This study aims to audit national drug registers (NDRs) in Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda in relation to national Essential Medicine Lists (EMLs), and to analyze highly registered products, including highly registered antimicrobial products. The results show that a significant proportion of essential medicines are not registered, and more than half of the registered products are not essential. The study suggests that over-registration of non-essential medicines leads to resource waste and hinders access to essential medicines.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Athanasios Gkekas, Benoit Varenne, Nicole Stauf, Habib Benzian, Stefan Listl
Summary: This study analyzed the affordability of fluoride toothpaste (FT) worldwide. The results showed that FT was more affordable in high-income countries and less affordable in low-income countries. Strategies should be implemented to improve the universal affordability of FT and reduce the problem of dental caries.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Johannes Siegrist
Summary: With the rapid transformation of the world of work in middle-income countries and increasing global interconnectivity, the importance of psychosocial occupational health is growing. However, research from these countries has limited impact on the international state of the art in this field.
Article
Rehabilitation
Satish Mishra, Andrea Pupulin, Bjorn Ekman, Chapal Khasnabis, Michael Allen, Manfred Huber
Summary: Developing a national assistive products list is crucial in assistive technology policy, requiring understanding of population need and product costs. This article highlights the essential stakeholders and necessary data for informed decisions, demonstrating the feasibility of developing such a list quickly and on a small budget.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION-ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Oghenefejiro (Theresa) Ikpeni, Darshanand Maraj, Hannah Woods, Aine Workentin, Christopher M. Booth, Nav Persaud
Summary: The number of cancer medicines listed on national essential medicines lists showed weak association with cancer health outcome scores in 124 countries. Further studies are needed to explore other factors contributing to cancer health outcomes.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Phyllis Ocran Mattila, Rabbiya Ahmad, Syed Shahzad Hasan, Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
Summary: In low- and middle-income countries, there are significant disparities in pricing, availability, and affordability of anti-cancer medicines, leading to treatment abandonment due to low patient purchasing power. Multiple stakeholders need to implement multi-pronged policy and program approaches to ensure access to cancer medicines.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xin Ma, Xuxu Yin, Meng Li, Yanwen Wang, Hongxia Xin, Wei Liu
Summary: The study aims to enhance the development of an essential medicines list for the elderly and promote appropriate drug use among older people. Comparison with four potentially inappropriate medication criteria revealed that 26% of essential medicines are included as potentially inappropriate.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jennifer Petkovic, Janet Jull, Manosila Yoganathan, Omar Dewidar, Sarah Baird, Jeremy M. Grimshaw, Kjell Arne Johansson, Elizabeth Kristjansson, Jessie McGowan, David Moher, Mark Petticrew, Bjarne Robberstad, Beverley Shea, Peter Tugwell, Jimmy Volmink, George A. Wells, Margaret Whitehead, Luis Gabriel Cuervo, Howard White, Monica Taljaard, Vivian Welch
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jobiba Chinkhumba, Manuela De Allegri, Stephan Brenner, Adamson Muula, Bjarne Robberstad
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anneke Steens, Birgitte Freiesleben de Blasio, Lamprini Veneti, Amy Gimma, W. John Edmunds, Kevin Van Zandvoort, Christopher Jarvis, Frode Forland, Bjarne Robberstad
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Admassu N. Lamu, Abdulrahman Jbaily, Stephane Verguet, Bjarne Robberstad, Ole Frithjof Norheim
Article
Immunology
Ngwegwe Bulula, Diana P. Mwiru, Omary Swalehe, Amani Thomas Mori
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alphoncina Kagaigai, Amani Anaeli, Amani Thomas Mori, Sverre Grepperud
Summary: Household perceptions towards community-based health insurance schemes play an important role in explaining households' enrolment decisions. Factors such as healthcare service quality, preferences, and accessibility to insurance scheme administration were identified as the most influential factors in determining enrolment status. Policymakers should consider these perceptions in designing policies to increase enrolment in CBHIs.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Admassu N. Lamu, Lars Bjorkman, Harald J. Hamre, Terje Alraek, Frauke Musial, Bjarne Robberstad
Summary: The study evaluated the validity and responsiveness of two health utility instruments in patients with health complaints attributed to dental amalgam fillings, showing EQ-5D-5L to be more responsive than SF-6D. However, both instruments were less efficient in detecting minimal important changes compared to criteria-based measures.
HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Peter Binyaruka, Amani Thomas Mori
Summary: The study estimated the direct and indirect costs of accessing C-section in Tanzania and found that C-section increased the likelihood of patients paying for healthcare, with an additional cost of about 20 USD compared to normal delivery. The coverage of C-section was significantly in favor of wealthier women, indicating a need for more health resources to provide free maternal care, reduce inequality, and improve birth outcomes in Tanzania.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Amisa Tindamanyile Chamani, Amani Thomas Mori, Bjarne Robberstad
Summary: The study compared the health system cost of providing ANC services at primary health facilities in Tanzania under the focused and standard models. The findings suggest that introducing the standard model may double the resources requirement, while availability of resources has been a challenge under the current focused model. Further research is needed to assess whether the additional costs are justified by the potential benefits for maternal and child health.
COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Amani Thomas Mori, Ngwegwe Christopher Bulula, Richard Magodi, William Mwengee
Summary: Vaccines have significantly reduced the global burden of disease. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, plays an important role in supporting eligible countries to increase access to new and underused vaccines. This paper compares the characteristics, immunization program performance, and health financing strategies of Tanzania, Benin, Haiti, Nepal, and Tajikistan. It also explores domestic financing strategies that Tanzania can use to close the funding gap.
Review
Pediatrics
Titus K. Kwambai, Amani T. Mori, Sarah Nevitt, Anna Maria van Eijk, Aaron M. Samuels, Bjarne Robberstad, Kamija S. Phiri, Feiko O. ter Kuile
Summary: In malaria-endemic areas in Africa, children discharged from hospital after recovery from severe anaemia and severe acute malnutrition are at increased risk of mortality in the first 6 months after discharge compared with children admitted with other health conditions.
LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Amani Thomas Mori, Cecilia J. Nyabakari
Summary: This study aims to estimate the cost of percutaneous nephrostomy for patients with obstructive uropathy in Tanzania. The study found that the unit cost of the procedure was 380.4 USD, which is three times the minimum monthly government wage. This research highlights the importance of conducting costing studies to inform pricing and reimbursement decisions.
COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter Winskill, Aggrey Dhabangi, Titus K. Kwambai, Amani Thomas Mori, Andria Mousa, Lucy C. Okell
Summary: Severe malarial anaemia cases are mostly present in the community rather than being hospitalized. The burden on public health depends on the severity of these cases. Strengthening the healthcare system and conducting research to understand the range of diseases associated with severe malarial anaemia cases in the community are crucial.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Melf-Jakob Kuhl, Thandile Gondwe, Aggrey Dhabangi, Titus K. Kwambai, Amani T. Mori, Robert Opoka, C. Chandy John, Richard Idro, Feiko O. ter Kuile, Kamija S. Phiri, Bjarne Robberstad
Summary: PDMC under implementation conditions is cost-saving. Caregivers receiving PDMC at discharge is a cost-effective delivery strategy for implementation in malaria-endemic southeastern African settings.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rashid Bakari Kirua, Mary Justin Temu, Amani Thomas Mori
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2020)