Table 7

Licensing, supply and distribution of five other obstetrical drugs as reported by drug information officers or drug regulatory officials – survey

Country/drug
Licensed
Problems with supply or distribution
Comments

Armenia



     Folic acid
Yes
No

     Ergometrin
Yes
No
The registered form is methylergometrine.
     Oxytocin
Yes
No

     Hydralazine
No
Yes
There is a demand for the drug, but no interest from drug companies.
     Nevirapine
Yes
Yes
There is a demand for the drug, but no interest from drug companies.
Bolivia



     Folic acid
Yes & No
Yes
Availability problems within the public health services (logistical).
     Ergometrin
No
No

     Oxytocin
No
No

     Hydralazine
No
Yes
Not available in the national market. Only imported by two suppliers for use in public health facilities.
     Nevirapine
Yes
Yes
Not on national EML & not registered so not available on the national market. AZT is available but expensive.
Cambodia



     Folic acid
Yes
No

     Ergometrin
Yes
Yes
There are often shortages due to short shelf-life.
     Oxytocin
Yes
No

     Hydralazine
Yes
Yes
There are often shortages due to short shelf-life.
     Nevirapine
No
DN
Not available in Cambodia.
India



     Folic acid
NR
No

     Ergometrin
NR
No

     Oxytocin
NR
No

     Hydralazine
NR
Yes
Low demand as a better therapeutic alternative is available. Produced by one manufacturer only.
     Nevirapine
NR
Yes & No

Indonesia



     Folic acid
No
No

     Ergometrin
No
No

     Oxytocin
No
No

     Hydralazine
No
No

     Nevarapine
DN
DN
Only been registered in 2002 so too early to know if there are any problems with supply.
Iran



     Folic acid
Yes
No

     Ergometrin
Yes
No

     Oxytocin
Yes
No

     Hydralazine
Yes
No

     Nevirapine
No
Yes
This drug is not being used in Iran.
Philippines



     Folic acid
Yes
No

     Ergometrin
Yes
No

     Oxytocin
Yes
No

     Hydralazine
Yes
No

     Nevirapine
No
NR
Not registered by the Bureau of Food & Drugs.
Rwanda



     Folic acid
Yes
No

     Ergometrin
DN
No

     Oxytocin
Yes
No

     Hydralazine
Yes
Yes
Many health facilities of out of stock.
     Nevirapine
Yes
No

Yemen



     Folic acid
Yes
DN

     Ergometrin
Yes
DN

     Oxytocin
Yes
DN

     Hydralazine
DN
DN

     Nevirapine
DN
DN
No cases.

DN = do not know

NR = not reported

Aaserud et al. BMC Health Services Research 2005 5:68   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-5-68