Problems in the Availability of Medicine for Patients with Chronic Diseases under the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tehran, Iran, and the Ways for Improving it

Abstract

Introduction: Given the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on routine healthcare delivery, access to the drugs needed was challenging for patients with chronic diseases. This study endeavored to identify the problems of these patients in accessing their medicine during COVID-19 and the proposed solutions from the perspective of concerned people. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured individual interviews. Participants (n = 34) were purposefully selected from health policymakers, physicians, pharmacists, and patients with chronic diseases in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Data were analyzed through the content analysis method. Results: Data analysis was categorized into six themes and 15 sub-themes. Primary challenges included medical care, accessing the required drugs, patient’s financial ability, and access to information. Strategies were related to governance situation in the drug sector and the drug supply chain. Conclusion: To improve patients' access to the medicine they need in crises, proper planning to supply the medicine, using the capacity of pharmacies and pharmacists, setting up systems related to telemedicine, and faster implementation of electronic prescription is recommended.

Keywords

• medicine
• chronic diseases
• epidemics
• covid-19