Availability, price, and affordability of antiseizure medicines in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: Up to 70% of people living with epilepsy could become seizure‐free with the appropriate use of antiseizure medicines. However, three quarters of people with epilepsy living in low‐income countries do not get the treatment they need and also do not access antiseizure medicines. The purpose of this study was to assess the availability, price, and affordability of antiseizure medicines in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross‐sectional study was done in selected pharmacies using a questioner developed after the modification of World Health Organization/Health Action International methodology. Data on the availability and price of lowest‐priced generics and originator brand antiseizure medicines from essential medicines list in Ethiopia were collected from seven public sectors, five private sectors, and seven other sectors (five Kenema Public Community and two Red Cross Pharmacies) in Addis Ababa between 09 May and 31 2022. The data were analyzed using the modified World Health Organization/Health Action International workbook part I excel sheet. Descriptive results were reported in text and table format. RESULTS: The overall availability of lowest‐priced generics medication was 52%. The availability of lowest‐priced generics was 62.86%, 30%, 55%, and 50% in public, private, Red Cross, and Kenema Public Community Pharmacies, respectively. The median price ratio in the public, private, Red Cross, and Kenema Public Community Pharmacy was 1.45, 3.72, 1.46, and 1.7, respectively. All the medications were unaffordable. Patients may be required to pay more than 6‐month wage to purchase standard treatment for 1 month only. SIGNIFICANCE: The overall availability of antiseizure medicines was lower than the WHO target for noncommunicable diseases. All the available medicines were unaffordable.