The penicillin support of medical institutions in the USSR during second half of 1940s

Abstract

The article, on the basis of declassified archival documents, considers the issue of centralized state distribution of penicillin in the USSR in the second half of 1940s. The mechanism of determining the need in medication using special coefficient is presented. It is demonstrated that in conditions of acute shortage, this approach became an attempt to ensure physical accessibility of medication for patient. However, by the end of 1940s, when acute shortage was overcome, free state supplies created preconditions for mismanagement and misuse at national and local levels, that affected timing and volume of supplies of antibiotic to medical institutions, as well as quality of medication supplied to patient. The district hospitals of provincial towns occurred in the worst condition. The article presents the facts testifying that penicillin supply solved not only health problems, but also domestic and foreign policy problems of the post-war USSR.