Assessing Antibiotic Availability in Pakistan: Public vs Private Healthcare Disparities
A study led by Sunaina Rafi explores the availability of essential antibiotics in public and private healthcare sectors in Pakistan. Conducted between August 15 and September 10, 2020, the research categorizes 103 antibiotics into Access, Watch, Reserve, and anti-tuberculosis groups. Findings reveal significant challenges, with public facilities showing a mean on-spot availability of 23.76%, contrasting with 59.20% in private-sector retail pharmacies. The study emphasizes the urgent need for corrective strategies and government intervention to address supply chain barriers and ensure access to essential medicines.