Abstract
ObjectivesBenin established a revolving drug fund (RDF) for essential asthma medicines in 2008. We evaluated the operation of the RDF and assessed whether there was interruption of supply of asthma medicine from 2008 to 2013.MethodsWe reviewed the process in establishing the RDF. We assessed cost and sale price of asthma medicines, expenditure of the RDF in procuring asthma medicines and other tools, revenue generated by sales of medicines to patients, and balance of capital as of 31 January 2013. We investigated whether there was interruption of supply of essential asthma medicines from 2008–2013.ResultsThe total amount of grants initially injected into the RDF was 24,101€. As of 31 January 2013, the capital of the RDF, including the deposit in the RDF bank account (8,114€) and the value of inhalers in stock (12,172€), was equivalent to 20,586€, slightly less than the initial capital (24,101€). The decrease of capital was mainly because a number of inhalers were expired or provided free-of-charge (6,091€) and because part of the fund was used to procure other elements required for the management of asthma (4,338€). Thanks to a RDF, Benin maintained an uninterrupted supply of essential asthma medicines in asthma pilot sites from 2008–2013.ConclusionThe Benin experience demonstrated that in countries where universal health coverage was not yet in place, establishment of a RDF may help maintain an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines.
Highlights
Shortage of pharmaceutical supply is common in resource-limited settings
Agodokpessi et al Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice (2015) 8:12 paper, we evaluated the operation of a revolving drug fund (RDF) for asthma project, including the medicines donated by the central pharmacy for essential medicines (CAME), from 2008 to 2013
Before the asthma pilot project, the majority of asthma patients were being treated exclusively on an emergency basis when they presented with an acute attack of asthma and that only a small minority of asthma patients were prescribed with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in Benin [12]
Summary
Access to affordable essential medicines for non-communicable diseases in resource limited settings can be challenging [1,2]. Revolving drug funds have been applied in a variety of settings to address this problem through financing drug supply [8,9,10,11]. It usually begins with an initial capital investment,.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
