Factors that influence access to medicines in Ecuador.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/rqawrc88Keywords:
Medicines, accessibility, health, coverage, pharmaceuticals, economyAbstract
Access to medicines is a fundamental component of the right to health and a key determinant of health system effectiveness. In Ecuador, persistent challenges related to the availability, affordability, and coverage of essential medicines disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. This study analyzes the main barriers to accessing medicines in three representative institutions of the public and social security health system: Hospital Roberto Gilbert, Hospital Luis Vernaza, and the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (IESS).
A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design was employed, using structured surveys administered to a sample of 303 participants, including patients and healthcare professionals. Variables assessed included medicine availability, economic accessibility, insurance coverage, and the impact of drug shortages on treatment continuity.
The findings reveal recurrent shortages in the studied institutions, forcing many patients to purchase medications from private pharmacies, thereby increasing out-of-pocket expenses and hindering treatment adherence. Additionally, deficiencies in supply management and limitations in price regulation were identified, further exacerbating inequalities in healthcare access.
Based on these results, strategies are proposed to strengthen the production and distribution of generic medicines, optimize hospital supply systems, and reinforce cost regulation mechanisms. These measures aim to promote more equitable, sustainable, and efficient access to medicines, providing evidence to support the development of effective public policies that strengthen Ecuador’s healthcare system.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Miguel Enrique Díaz Alava, Gabriela Belen Veliz Dorado, Emely Michelle Macías Reyes, Ariana Nicole Guerra Briones (Autor/a)
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