@article {66971, title = {Medicines in Mexico, 1990-2004: Systematic Review of Research on Access and Use}, journal = {Salud P{\'u}blica de M{\'e}xico}, year = {2008}, note = {Download PDF}, month = {Apr 18, 2008}, publisher = {Salud P{\'u}blica de M{\'e}xico}, abstract = {Objective. To review original research studies published between 1990 and 2004 on the access and use of medicines in Mexico to assess the knowledge base for reforming Mexico{\textquoteright}s pharmaceutical policy. Material and Methods. A literature review using electronic databases was conducted of original studies published in the last 15 years about access and use of medicines in Mexico. In addition, a manual search of six relevant journals was performed. Excluded were publications on herbal, complementary and alternative medicines. Results.Were identified 108 original articles as being relevant, out of 2 289 titles reviewed, highlighting four policy-related problems: irrational prescribing, harmful self-medication, inequitable access, and frequent drug stock shortage in public health centers. Conclusions. This review identified two priorities for Mexico{\textquoteright}s pharmaceutical policy and strategies: tackling the irrational use of medicines and the inadequate access of medicines. These are critical priorities for a new national pharmaceutical policy.}, url = {http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?pid=0036-3634\&script=sci_serial}, author = {Reich, Michael R. and Wirtz, Veronika J. and Leyva Flores, Ren{\'e} and Dreser, Anah{\'\i}} }