Availability and Pricing of Essential Medicines in Myanmar: Influencing Factors and Recent Trends

This report on the Availability and Pricing of Essential Medicines in Myanmar relies on multiple assessments (2021 - 2023) conducted jointly by the World Bank and World Health Organization as well as other publicly available information. This report provides an overview of findings from a mixed-method study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability on Myanmar’s healthcare system, focusing on the availability of essential medicines. This study combines quantitative data collection from retail pharmacies and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry of the private sector. The study further explored the coping mechanisms households and healthcare providers employ to address the rising prices of essential medicines. Many individuals with chronic conditions reported reducing or skipping medication intake due to financial constraints. Healthcare providers adjusted their prescription choices, often opting for more affordable brands, to mitigate the impact on patients. However, these coping mechanisms were insufficient to alleviate the negative consequences of rising medicine prices. Based on the findings, this study emphasizes the urgent need to address the root causes of rising medicine prices in order to ensure the availability and affordability of essential medicines for all individuals in Myanmar. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the prevailing issues, targeted interventions and programs can be designed to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Myanmar’s population.