What mechanisms best promote the availability, affordability and rational use of drugs in the private sector?
In many low-income countries over half of all drugs are sold through the private pharmaceutical market. Private pharmaceutical purchases are the major source of drugs for the population. Whether this is a matter of policy or simply a matter of practice, it is important to ask what mechanisms best help promote health through these private pharmaceutical expenditures. This section first summarizes public health concerns regarding the private pharmaceutical sector and then discusses the instruments available to governments wishing to intervene in the market. It goes on to discuss in more detail approaches to the four different types of concerns identified.
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