IMPACT OF DRUG PRICING POLICIES ON PATIENT ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS WITH MEDIATING ROLE OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF PATIENTS ABOUT DRUG PRICING POLICIES

Abstract

Purpose: This study's major goal is to investigate how drug pricing regulations affect patients' access to prescription drugs in Karachi, Pakistan, as well as how patients' awareness and understanding of these regulations affect their medication use and health outcomes. Methodology & Design: The methodology includes convenience sampling, a structural equation modelling design, an explanatory type, and a quantitative (deductive) approach. Findings: According to the study, patient access to prescription drugs is significantly impacted by drug pricing policies, and patient awareness and knowledge of drug pricing policies played a mediating role. Limitations: The study had some drawbacks, such as the use of a cross-sectional design, which restricted the capacity to establish temporal causation between the variables. The use of self-reported data, which would have exposed respondents to social desirability bias or recall bias, was another drawback. It would be preferable to use pharmacy records or health insurance claims as a more impartial indicator of patient access to prescription drugs. The context- specific nature of drug pricing rules and patient access to prescription pharmaceuticals in a poor nation may have further restricted the generalizability of the findings. Recommendations: The study advised that policymakers establish and execute drug pricing policies that support fair prices and cost-effective interventions. The study suggested that health practitioners raise patient understanding of drug price regulations and how they affect patients' access to prescription drugs. The study suggested that patients want improved high-quality medications and make educated decisions regarding their access to pharmaceutical use.