Availability, prices, and affordability of essential medicines for children in community pharmacies: evidence from the state of Perlis, Malaysia

Abstract Objectives To examine the availability, prices, and affordability of essential medicines for children (EMc) in community pharmacies (CPs). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted across all CPs in Perlis. The median price ratio (MPR) was a ratio of the median unit price to reference. Affordability was based on the lowest daily wages required. Key findings The mean availability of generic medication (55.9%) and brand medication (31.4%) was low. For international reference price, chlorpheniramine tablets and salbutamol syrup had the highest MPR among generic medication and brand medication, respectively. Asthma was the most expensive treatment. Conclusions Availability of EMc is low in CPs. They cost higher but are still affordable.