Medicines Use: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Health Systems, And Better Outcomes

Background: Better data on medicines use can inform better decisions, better health systems, and better patient outcomes. More African studies of medicines use are emerging, especially those using routinely-collected data. Such work is even more pressing given the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD) - where medicines are often the mainstay of treatment - and additional challenges in financing sustainable health systems for universal health coverage and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To describe how medicines use studies can strengthen health systems (focus on Ghana). Methods: We identified sources of data: national health insurance systems (public and private);district level health information systems (DHIMS2);health service and hospital data;together with commercial local, regional, and global data. Data users need to be mindful of appropriate data governance and privacy of patient's records. Results and Conclusions: 1. Rational use of medicines: adherence with standard treatment guidelines, treatment pathways, potential cost savings, pharmacovigilance 2. Health Technology Assessment: key inputs for cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis of medicines for inclusion within a benefits package. 3. Patterns of disease: explore prevalence and incidence of disease (especially NCDs) plus comorbidities using medicines use as a proxy for diseases, particularly in the absence of other high-quality epidemiological data. 4. Health Policy + Monitoring and Evaluation: developing essential medicines lists and treatment guidelines;key indicators in M&E of health systems. 5. Building research capacity: promoting researchers in pharmacoepidemiology using identified and accessible data sources. Initial steps in Africa can develop with continued training and support.