International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Availability of Essential Medicines in a Country in Conflict: A Quantitative Insight from Yemen Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim 1,* , Mohammed Alshakka 2 , Nazeh Al-abd 3, Awsan Bahattab 4 and Wafa Badulla 5 1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Practice, Head of Research and Graduate Studies–Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar 2 Section of Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aden University, Aden, Yemen;
[email protected] 3 Department of Para-Clinic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen;
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[email protected] Abstract: Background: Medicine and medical supplies are often in short supply in countries suffering from the scourge of conflict. Effective medicine supply policies are lacking in many low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), particularly during conflict. This study aimed to assess the availability of essential medicines in both the public and private healthcare sectors. Methods: The study was conducted by administering a survey from November 2017 to February 2018 using the World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) guidelines and methodology. Thirty healthcare facilities in thirteen districts from three governorates in Yemen were included in the assessment of thirty essential medicines. The results were reported as frequencies and percentages of outlets with available medicines on the day of data collection.