Average Retail Price Research Articles

PRODUCTION CHARACTERISTICS AND DYNAMICS OF AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES FOR SWEET SOFT DRINKS IN AZERBAIJAN

Introduction. Most of the population in our and many other countries around the world is deficient in micronutrients and nutrients. A significant role in replenishing them belongs to functional and preventive food products, including soft drinks that have functional properties. Purpose of the study: Assess the state of the market and production of sweet soft drinks and forecast its development for 2023-2027. Research objectives: To describe the situation on the Azerbaijani market of sweet soft drinks, to provide current information on the volume of production of goods by year and region of Azerbaijan. Research results. Over the past five years, there has been an increase in the production of soft drinks. In 2022, the production of soft drinks in the Republic of Azerbaijan as a whole amounted to 41417.5 thousand decaliters, i.e. the increase by 2020 was 44.8%. Data analysis shows that the undisputed leader in this sector is the city of Baku. Here, in 2020, 26,492.8 thousand decalitres of soft drinks were produced, the increase by 2018 was 47.7% and in 2022, 39,698.2 thousand decalitres of soft drinks were produced, the increase by 2020 was 49.9%. The average retail price for lemonade in 2021 increased by 3.3% compared to last year and amounted to 1.54 manats/l, for cola increased by 5.5% and amounted to 1.07 manats/l and for energy drinks increased by 2.6% and amounted to 0.89 manats/0.25 l. Conclusions. Research results show that the market for sweet soft drinks in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2018-2022. It is developing dynamically and the leader in this sector is the Baku Economic Region (Baku). The volume of production of sweet soft drinks in Azerbaijan in 2022 amounted to 50,386 thousand decalitres and the increase by 2020 was 30.7%. According to forecasts in 2027, production will increase by 69.4% by 2022 and amount to 85,330 thousand decalitres.

Trend and Instability Analysis of Milk Prices in Major Markets of India

The growth rate of production and per capita availability of milk and growth rate, variability and convergence/divergence of retail prices of milk in the major consuming markets of India has been examined in this article using annual production and per capita availability of milk data for the period from 1980-81 to 2022-23 and deseasonalised monthly milk retail prices from 1975-76 to 2022-23 was utilized to study the growth rate, variability and convergence/divergence of retail prices of milk. The entire period was further divided into two sub-periods and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), Coefficient of Variation around the trend and Bandyopadhyay (1989) methodology were applied to examine the growth rate, variability, instability and convergence/divergence of milk retail prices. The study concluded that the production and per capita availability of milk was increasing continuously. The highest average milk retail price was recorded in Delhi market during TE2022. The growth rate of milk retail prices were increased in Delhi and Kolkata markets while in Mumbai and Chennai markets, it was reduced from sub-period I to sub-period II. The variability of milk retail prices were reduced from sub-period I to sub-period II in all the selected markets. The Mumbai market exhibited highest reduction in variability in milk retail prices while the Chennai market showed lowest reduction in retail price of milk from sub-period I to sub-period II. The positive and negative deviation trend lines were diverging during sub-period I while they were converging during sub-period II. This indicated that instability of milk retail price was reducing during sub-period II. The reduction of variability and instability in milk retail prices was caused by the increased production and per capita availability of milk, increased milk processing capacity and improvement in marketing infrastructure in the recent time.

Seasonal price variation analysis of palm oil: case study of Nigeria (2016–2022)

To enhance the benefits derived from palm oil processing by the farmers, there is a need for the producers (farmers) and buyers of palm oil to understand the seasonal price for making informed decisions on when to buy and sell the commodity. In order to determine price at the appropriate time of the season, the study looked at the seasonal price variation analysis of palm oil and the relationship between producers and buyers. This was done by understanding buyers’ requirements, producers’ effort, measurements taken, and contracting with buyers’ credit from customers. A multiphase sampling strategy was used. Organized interviews and questionnaires were utilized to collect primary data, while the National Bureau of Statistics provided secondary time series data on the average monthly retail price of palm oil from 2016 to 2022. The need for bio-fuel, production growth, governmental regulations, market dynamics, and the seasonality of palm oil products are then identified by the study as important factors influencing palm oil price fluctuation throughout the year. The study then suggests that there’s a need for economic diversification to reduce reliance on a single sector. This study will serve as a basis for future research on palm oil price variation analysis.

Determinants of the Relationship between Wholesale and Retail Energy Prices in the Czech Republic

Rising energy prices have become a focus of interest for politicians at the international, European, and national levels. Energy prices are the main determinant of profitability or even the existence of the industrial sector. So, it is accepted that energy policy aims to ensure a secure, sustainable, competitive, and affordable energy supply for households and businesses. However, the recent geopolitical situation has significantly affected the energy policy of the European Union, raising concerns about energy security and an energy crisis. This crisis has had social, economic, and political consequences, including energy poverty. In this context, it is essential to understand the determinants of the relationship between wholesale and retail energy prices. This paper presents a model proposal to be used by the Czech Energy Regulatory Authority. The model of average retail prices depends on the type of contract - spot or forward, with the three-year forward contract having the largest weight on the retail price. Therefore, our study shows that long-term contracts significantly impact retail energy prices, highlighting the importance of regulatory monitoring of market strategies. Methodologically, the model is based on a multivariate regression analysis solved with the least absolute deviations and data for the period 2012 to 2023. The findings of the study contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of the dynamics of energy prices and support policymakers while attempting to ensure energy affordability and sustainability.

A Case Study on Economic Analysis of Sea Cage Farms in the Black Sea, Türkiye

The main aim of this research is to understand the value chains of enterprises engaged in aquaculture in sea cages in the Black Sea region of Türkiye, to determine production costs and to make a general analysis of the aquaculture sector. Random sampling method was used to ensure that farmers were equally represented in the survey. Data for the survey were randomly selected from 16 separate farms spread throughout 4 different marine cage locations. Furthermore, fish traders and sector stakeholders were interviewed. The businesses examined within the scope of the study are divided into 3 groups: small (250 -500 tons/year), medium (501-999 tons/year) and large (>1000 tons/year), according to their capacities. The most important expense items of enterprises consist of variable costs. Among the variable costs, the purchase of fry fish, feed purchase, and labor costs constitute the most important expenditure items. Among the fixed costs, the most important expense is depreciation costs. The unit cost of one kg of fish varies between 2.7 and 3.0 euros. Considering that the trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in the Black Sea are at the level of 3.5 Euro, the profit rate of the enterprises is between these levels. Recently, since trout from the Black Sea has been exported to the Far East Country (particularly Japan), its price has also increased. In 2018, the average retail price (including VAT) and medium selling price of seabass and trout were at a level of 5.24 and 5.34 Euros respectively. Despite all these positive developments, climate change continues to pose a threat in terms of disease outbreak and marketing problems.

The comparative analysis of the economic availability of antihypertensives from the group of beta-blockers in Ukraine

The comparative analysis of the economic availability of antihypertensives from the group of beta-blockers in Ukraine

Shifting towards luxury cars: The price and environmental effects of Beijing’s vehicle lottery system and an alternative policy

This paper investigates changes in the composition of vehicle fleets after Beijing implemented a vehicle lottery system (VLS) in 2011 that randomly allocates a quota of license plates to lottery participants. Using the car registration data, we examine the consumption response at the beginning of the restriction. Our analysis reveals that VLS effectively eliminated over one million additional car registrations in two years, however it also increased purchases of cars that are heavier, have larger engines, and are less fuel-efficient. We highlight that the change was associated with a greater reduction in the retail price of luxury cars compared with economy cars post-VLS implementation. Through a difference-in-differences (DID) analysis, we show that the average retail price in Beijing dropped by an additional 2 percent (about $0.4k) for economy cars and 5.8 percent (around $4.3k) for luxury cars, compared to cities without VLS. This price change increased the attractiveness of luxury cars relatively to economy cars. Furthermore, we build a structural model to estimate the consumer demand on vehicles as well as to simulate and compare other potential policies. Given the drawback of VLS that partially offsets the policy goal of emission elimination, we propose a market-based policy to save fuel consumption while achieving the same target of controlling vehicle growth as VLS.

Does higher tax rate affect tobacco usage? Unravelling the nexus between tobacco regulatory control and public health concern

ObjectivesBangladesh stands as a prominent global consumer of tobacco, with alarming consequences on public health. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey reported that tobacco consumption claimed over 126 000 lives in 2018, contributing to 13.5% of all deaths in the country. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of higher tax rates and tobacco use regulation as control mechanisms in mitigating tobacco consumption and health care cost burden, with a particular emphasis on its implications for public health. MethodsThis study is based on the annual time series data over the period 2000–2020. The study employs the ordinary least square method to analyze the quantitative confirming the stationarity of data at level. This research uses different models to investigate individual effects and combined effects on both tobacco consumption and tobacco health care cost burden. ResultsThe study finds a negative relationship between tobacco tax rate and tobacco consumption. More specifically, the higher tax rate of tobacco (low (β = −0.3495), medium (β = −0.2319), high (β = −0.9033), premium (β = −0.7322), filtered (β = −0.2114), and non-filtered (β = −0.3452) categories) is significant to reduce tobacco use at 1% level of significance. The study finds similar results when it applied tobacco retail price instead of tobacco tax rate as the independent variable. Finally, the study investigates the impact on health care cost through tobacco consumption, tobacco control law, growth rate, export-import, and tobacco production. The results indicate that tobacco consumption, export-import, and tobacco production increases health care cost burden while tobacco use regulatory decreases it. By reducing tobacco consumption, higher taxes and tobacco use regulation contribute to alleviating the burden on the healthcare system, promoting healthier lifestyles, and aligning with global health objectives. ConclusionsHigher tax rate on tobacco products is necessary to increase the retail price so that tobacco users cannot consume tobacco. Specific tax and uniform tax base are needed so that tobacco users cannot switch to lower priced brands. Tobacco control laws need to revised and proper implementation should be ensured as well, to achieve the goal of tobacco free Bangladesh by 2040. Tobacco-related diseases, responsible for a significant proportion of deaths in the country, could witness a considerable decline with the successful implementation of higher tax rates and tobacco use regulation. This study provides insights that not only contribute to the economic discourse but also accentuate the broader public health benefits arising from effective tobacco taxation policies.

Analysis of the range, economic availability and volume of consumption of antiestrogens for the hormone therapy of ER(+) HER2(−) breast cancer

Aim. To study the range, economic availability and consumption volumes of antiestrogens for the hormone therapy of ER(+) HER2(−) breast cancer.
 Materials and methods. The retrospective analysis of the range, as well as the analysis of changes in average retail prices, economic availability and consumption volumes of hormone therapy for ER(+) HER2(−) breast cancer presented at the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine in 2017-2022 were performed.
 Results. At the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine in 2017-2022, 3 INNs of anti-estrogens were presented during the entire period under study: tamoxifen (L02B A01), toremifene (L02B A02) and fulvestrant (L02B A03). The value of the solvency adequacy ratio (Ca.s.) of the population for each drug under research decreased at the end of the study period. For almost every trade name (TN) of the drugs studied during individual years, the Ca.s. indicator was slightly higher than in the previous period, but this was not systemic in nature and did not affect the general trend of decreasing Ca.s., which, in turn, indicated an increase in the affordability of all TN of antiestrogens studied for an average citizen of Ukraine. There is an overall clear trend towards a year-on-year decrease in the consumption of anti-estrogens mainly due to a decrease in the consumption of tamoxifen drugs, but there is a steady trend towards an increase in the consumption of fulvestrant.
 Conclusions. At the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine within 2017-2022, anti-estrogens for the hormone therapy of ER(+) HER2(–) breast cancer were presented by 3 INNs: tamoxifen, toremifene and fulvestrant. It has been found that for almost all drugs studied there is a steady trend towards increasing economic availability due to an increase in average wages, despite an increase in average retail prices. A trend towards a decrease in the consumption of drugs from the group of anti-estrogens has been determined mainly due to a decrease in the consumption of tamoxifen drugs.

Analyzing Access and Costs of Oral Medications for Overactive Bladder: Uncovering Disparities

To report out-of-pocket costs associated with overactive bladder (OAB) medications among Medicare beneficiaries and the uninsured. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Prescription Drug Plan Formulary Data (Q1-2022). FDA-approved medications for OAB were identified. We calculated out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries in each Part D prescription benefit phase, average retail price, total yearly costs and discounted prices through cash-pay discount coupons (GoodRx) or online pharmacies like Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC). We also report plan utilization management requirements. We analyzed 5721 plan formularies for 18 medications. Mirabegron was the only beta-3 agonist (B3). Only Vesicare oral solution (14.3% of plans) and Mirabegron (0.1%) required prior authorization. Many plans required step therapy for selective generic anticholinergics (ACH) (12.4%-43.3%), while the B3 rarely required step therapy (0.6%). Monthly costs varied by coverage phase and averaged $59 for ACHs in the initial coverage phase ($14 in catastrophic; $72 in coverage gap). The monthly cost for the B3 averaged $47 in the initial coverage phase ($26 in catastrophic; $129 in coverage gap). The total yearly cost for generic ACHs ranged from $494 (oxybutynin IR) to $1452 (darifenacin) and the yearly cost for brand-name ACHs ranged from $1175 (Toviaz ER) to $2198 (Oxytrol). The total yearly cost for the B3 was $1283. We evaluated coverage, out-of-pocket costs, total yearly costs, and utilization management for OAB medications to make pricing more transparent. While selective medications may be "covered," coverage does not translate into affordable drug prices.

Prices of flower and resin in cannabis social clubs: Analyses of register data from 220,000 collections.

Cannabis social clubs (CSC) are community-based non-profit organisations that aim to minimise cannabis-related harm for their members. This contribution seeks to: (i) compare the cost of cannabis flower and resin in CSCs to the national average retail price on the illegal market; and (ii) identify possible quantity discounts for cannabis flower and resin distributed to members of CSCs. Routine data from four CSCs located in Barcelona, Spain, contained information on n = 220,465 collections of cannabis resin and flower (0.01-39 g per collection). The costs for 1 g of cannabis flower and resin per collection were determined. The mean national prices on illicit cannabis were obtained from Spanish police reports. On average, members paid 6.19€ for 1 g flower (median: 6€; interquartile range: 6-7€) and 8.54€ for 1 g resin (median: 7€; interquartile range: 6-9€), with less variations for flower than for resin. Compared to the national average, prices appeared to be higher for cannabis products distributed in CSCs, but comparisons were limited by a lack of data on the variation of national prices. For resin, doubling the quantity was associated with a 20.7% (95% confidence interval 20.4-21.2%; p < 0.001) fee discount. Cannabis in CSCs may be more costly than the estimated national average for the illicit market. No meaningful price discount could be observed for flower but for resin. Pricing policies pursued by CSCs may help to disincentivise consumption of larger amounts but may also bar socioeconomically disadvantaged users from accessing safer alternatives than the illegal market.

Agricultural value chains in a fragile state: The case of rice in Myanmar

The large majority of extreme poor in the world lives in fragile states. Yet, despite the enormous importance of these areas for global poverty and food insecurity, there is relatively little research examining how agricultural value chains, crucial for assuring food security, respond and adapt to such contexts. This paper analyzes Myanmar’s rice value chain – its most important staple and biggest value chain – during the economic collapse and political instability caused by a military coup in early 2021. It relies on unique data collected with a large sample of rice retailers and millers before and after the coup. Despite many challenges in the rice value chain after the coup – most importantly linked to banking and transport – rice processing and trade continued, assuring availability of rice in most retail markets and illustrating the resilience of the value chain to such major shock. While processing margins were mostly stable, an increased distribution margin (between rice millers and retailers) led to 11 percent higher average retail prices after the coup, implying welfare losses of almost USD 0.5 billion for the country. Using a market-pair regression method, we further find that localized violence near sellers and buyers, distances traveled, and distance of vendors from borders are associated with significantly increased rice price dispersion between rice retailers and mills. Despite the amalgam of problems to address in such settings, prioritizing the easing of transport restrictions and facilitating cheap and safe spatial arbitrage of food products would likely help prevent further food price inflation, assure higher farm prices, and therefore improve welfare.

Input price discrimination and strategic inventory

AbstractWe consider a two‐period model with strategic inventory and explore the welfare implications of banning input price discrimination. We find that inventory incentive is stronger under input price discrimination. Under uniform pricing, an increase in an inventory of a firm equally lowers the rival's wholesale price. It expands the rival's production, suppresses the firm's output, and weakens the incentive. We also find that the weak incentive leads to higher quantity‐weighted average wholesale and retail prices. Therefore, allowing input price discrimination alleviates double marginalization and leads to higher consumer surplus and social welfare.

The role of market-based transformative service initiatives in service inclusion of refugees

PurposeThis paper aims to empirically investigate the role of market-based transformative service initiatives (TSIs) during the refugee crisis and shed light on how such TSIs increase inclusion of refugees in service systems by using market forces while creating broader benefits for service organizations themselves.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the case of the World Food Program’s (WFP) Dalili smartphone application targeting Syrian refugees in the context of Lebanon. A mixed-methods approach, including in-depth interviews with the retail managers of the local supermarkets and statistical cross- and intra-regional analysis on the retailing mix elements of the local supermarkets was adopted for the empirical investigation.FindingsThe results show that the WFP’s Dalili TSI increases service inclusion of refugees by facilitating their access to the essential food services easier and at affordable prices and helps them integrate into the host community. Furthermore, such market-based TSIs were shown to have broader benefits for other stakeholders in the food retail ecosystem including retailers and nonrefugee shoppers as they are successful in improving the retailing management standards of the participating supermarkets by decreasing the average retail price of the merchandise, increasing their variety and assortment, increasing promotional offers and improving the customer service level.Research limitations/implicationsThis research fills the gap in the literature for empirical investigation on the impact mechanism of market-based TSIs on service inclusion and well-being of refugees. In contrast to the majority of TSIs studied in the literature that are designed by governments or nonprofit organizations in the areas such as higher education, health care and humanitarian aids, this study focuses on the case of TSIs developed by supranational organizations using market forces in the food retail ecosystem. Furthermore, the findings suggest that TSIs could also benefit the service organizations that offer such initiatives.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper have implications for service organizations and policymakers and their ability to design effective market-based TSIs during the refugee crisis.Originality/valueThe studied case in the context of TSIs in the food retail ecosystem and the empirical approach used are academically novel. Moreover, focusing on the refugee crisis in the Middle East region is rather understudied in the service research literature.

Indication-wide drug pricing: Insights from the pharma market

BackgroundPharmaceutical spending has been increasing rapidly for years and is higher than ever before. To control the rising costs, countries are implementing regulatory frameworks such as (internal) reference pricing, price cuts or generics substitution. Internal reference pricing establishes a reference price within a country which serves as the maximum level of reimbursement for a group of pharmaceuticals. Price setting in the German market is especially relevant for many European countries, which use Germany as a reference country for their own price setting.MethodsWe evaluate pharmaceutical price dynamics for not reference priced pharmaceuticals (NRPs) as well as for reference priced pharmaceuticals (RPs) in Germany—referring to the internal reference price system. 64,862 medication packs have been extracted from the German pharmaceutical pricing register Lauer-Taxe. For each pack, we extracted detailed data on the company, manufacturer rebates, pharmacy retail prices, reference prices, co-payments, import quotas, and discount agreements. We then investigated price setting and dynamics of NRPs vs. RPs for all 14 indication areas by ATC code level 1.ResultsThe average manufacturer price per pack was 604.84€ for NRPs and 112.11€ for RPs. Similar differences were found for the wholesale price and the pharmacy retail price. The reference price was—as expected—0.00€ for NRPs, and 154.40€ for RPs. NRP packs were imported in 42.38%, while RP packs were imported only in 24.62%. Highest average pharmacy retail prices could be found in the therapeutic areas ‘antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents’ (1711.47€), ‘systemic hormonal preparations’ (1331.95€), and ‘blood and blood forming organs’ (1260.58€). We detected high fluctuations in pharmacy retail prices per indication, as well as for reference prices per indication. The indications with the highest number of reference price regulated medical packs are ‘cardiovascular system’, ‘musculo-skeletal system’, and ‘nervous system’. Highest co-payments were found in the indications ‘antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents’, ‘blood and blood forming organs’, and ‘antiinfectives for systemic use’.ConclusionPrice setting and price dynamics vary substantially between NRP and RP medication packs. Further, we saw major differences across all indication areas as well as when comparing medication packs launched by top 20 pharma companies vs. the rest.

Vertical Disintegration: The Effect of Refiners’ Exit from Gasoline Retailing on Retail Gasoline Pricing

The net effect of vertical integration on consumer welfare depends on the magnitude of the price reductions resulting from the elimination of double marginalization at the integrated firm and the price increases resulting from higher input prices charged to unintegrated competitors. In this paper, we estimate both of these effects in the US gasoline industry by examining the change in relative retail gasoline prices following the vertical separation caused by refiners’ decision to exit gasoline retailing beginning in the mid-2000s. Using station-level price data from Florida and New Jersey, we find that double marginalization caused retail prices to increase by about 1.2 cents per gallon. Estimates of the effect of raising rivals’ costs, while sensitive to the choice of control group, are of a similar magnitude. On net, we find that the average retail price of gasoline was effectively unchanged as the result of vertical separation.

The association between the retail price of manufactured cigarettes and bidis on current smoking status in India.

INTRODUCTIONIn India, the retail prices of bidis and cigarettes varied between the two Global Adult Tobacco Surveys (GATS) conducted in 2009–2010 and 2016–2017. The relationship between the retail price of smoked tobacco products and their use is unclear for India. Our study thus aimed to use available datasets to investigate the association between the retail price and current smoking status of bidis and cigarettes in India.METHODSCurrent smoking status data for bidis and cigarettes were obtained from the two GATS rounds. The average state-level retail prices of bidis and cigarettes were obtained from India’s Consumer Price Index- Industrial Workers database. Descriptive statistics were used to describe current smoking status patterns. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to investigate the association between the retail prices and current smoking status of bidis and cigarettes.RESULTSFor cigarettes, an increase in the average retail price by one Indian Rupee was associated with a reduction in the odds of being a current smoker of 7% (OR=0.925; 95% CI: 0.918–0.932, p<0.001). For bidis, the association between the retail price and current smoking status was not statistically significant (OR=1.01; 95% CI: 1.00–1.02, p=0.082).CONCLUSIONSCurrent increases in the retail prices of tobacco products in India seem to have an impact on the use of cigarettes but not bidis. This highlights the need for tobacco product tax increases that result in sufficient retail prices increase to make all tobacco products less affordable and reduce their use.

An Approach for Prediction of Weekly Prices of Green Chili in Sri Lanka: Application of Artificial Neural Network Techniques

Purpose: Predicting the prices of crops is a principal task for producers, suppliers, governments and international businesses. The purpose of the study is to forecast the prices of green chili, which is a cash crop in Sri Lanka. Artificial neural networks were applied as they help to extract important insights from the bulk of data with a scientific approach. Research Method: The Time Delay Neural Network (TDNN), Feedforward Neural Network (FFNN) with Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm and FFNN with Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) algorithm were employed on weekly average retail prices of green chili in Sri Lanka from the 1st week of January 2011 to the 4th week of December 2018. The performance of models was evaluated through the Mean Squared Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Normalized Mean Squared Error (NMSE). Findings: Among the three methods implemented, the FFNN model using the LM algorithm exhibited the highest accuracy with a minimum MSE of 0.0033, MAE of 0.0437 and NMSE of 0.2542. The model built using the SCG algorithm fitted data with a minimum MSE of 0.0033, MAE of 0.0458 and NMSE of 0.2549. Among the fitted TDNN models, the model with 8 input delays were a better model with an MSE of 0.0036, MAE of 0.0470 and NMSE of 0.3221. FFNNs outperformed TDNN in forecasting green chili prices of Sri Lanka. Originality/ Value: The neural network approach in forecasting the prices of green chili provides more accurate results to make decisions based on the trends and to identify future opportunities

Commercialization of Alate termites (Macrotermes sp.) to improve households’ livelihoods in Vihiga county, Kenya

To meet the rising demand for animal-based protein, conventional livestock may prove expensive as the current production system remains unsustainable. This calls for intervention research on alternative sources of protein, hence a switch to affordable and environmentally acceptable protein sources of which approximately 1,900 insect species are consumed worldwide. Alate termites have thus received considerations in this line for nutritional and economic benefits. Trading of alate termites is becoming a valuable source of income for many people in Vihiga county and other parts of western region, which although modest in terms of monetary value, could nonetheless form a significant proportion of their annual income. Information about commercialization of alate termites and its impact to household level food security has remained sparse. The goal of this research was to partly fill this knowledge gap and document the associated potential of alate termite commercialization on household livelihoods in Luanda and Hamisi sub-counties of Vihiga county. A total of 204 respondents participated in the cross-sectional study. Chi Square and regression analysis was employed to predict association and relationship between alate termite collection and marketing and household income for improved livelihoods. The results affirmed that, alate termites are a delicacy and cultural food eaten by the majority of the people in western Kenya. This is attributed to its nutritional value as well as higher economic potentiality. The average retail price per kilogram of 500 Kenya Shillings (US $5), compares favorably with that of goat meat, which is retailed within the region. The trading of alate termites is dominated by women and characterized by wholesalers who buy the alates from collectors and sell to retailers. The purpose of utilization was positively significant p&lt;0.005. Inferring that the benefits realized from utilization of alate termites was dependent on households’ decisions regarding various utilization purposes. Drying was the most common preservation method (64%) whereas others have a preference for frying. Moreover, alate termites are grounded into flour that is used for baking other products. The potential of alate termites to diversify household livelihood can be fully explored in order to contribute to household livelihoods and ultimately food security. Key words: Household Livelihood, Alate termites, Marketing, Value addition, Utilization

Survey on the worldwide availability and affordability of antiseizure medications: Report of the ILAE Task Force on Access to Treatment.

Health systems worldwide are challenged in the provision of basic medical services and access to treatments for chronic conditions. Epilepsy, the most common severe chronic neurological disorder, does not receive sufficient attention despite being officially declared a public health priority by the World Health Organization. More than 80% of people with epilepsy live in middle- and low-income countries (MICs and LICs, respectively), where most of the population lacks reliable access to antiseizure medications (ASMs), contributing significantly to the large epilepsy treatment gap in these regions. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force on Access to Treatment administered a global survey to report on the current access to ASMs worldwide. The survey was developed and distributed online through the ILAE and International Bureau of Epilepsy (IBE) secretariats to the chapter representatives. The survey was completed by one representative per country. Response rate was 73.2% (101 countries of the 138 represented in ILAE and/or IBE organizations). Availability and access of ASMs, including distribution problems and costs, reimbursement procedures, general barriers to access to care, and presence of projects targeted toward improving care access, were studied, and descriptive statistics on available responses were performed. Among the 15 first-generation ASMs surveyed, carbamazepine was reported as the most widely available globally. At least one first-generation ASM is widely available in most countries, but their number differs dramatically across income levels. Second- and third-generation ASMs are even more limited in MICs and LICs. Additionally, average retail prices for ASMs were not significantly different across countries despite the differences in per capita income from high-income countries to LICs. This survey provides a worrisome picture of availability and accessibility of ASMs across the world, with wide disparities according to socioeconomic status. Recommendations for direct action on improving access to care will be discussed.