The patient ‘must find his own way’: public policies concerning access to medicines in Angola
Background This study analyses public policies concerning access to medicines and pharmaceutical services in Angola from the right to health perspective. Angola, located in the Western Region of Southern Africa, gained independence in 1975, but the regulation of pharmaceutical activity was enacted o...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2521429 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1839642169991757824 |
|---|---|
| author | Elisa Dulce João Fundanga Calipi Fernanda Manzini Leandro Ribeiro Molina Silvana Nair Leite |
| author_facet | Elisa Dulce João Fundanga Calipi Fernanda Manzini Leandro Ribeiro Molina Silvana Nair Leite |
| author_sort | Elisa Dulce João Fundanga Calipi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background This study analyses public policies concerning access to medicines and pharmaceutical services in Angola from the right to health perspective. Angola, located in the Western Region of Southern Africa, gained independence in 1975, but the regulation of pharmaceutical activity was enacted only in 2010. Despite these policies, health policies alone do not guarantee the right to health.Methods This qualitative research involves documentary analysis, participant observation, and interviews, utilising theoretical frameworks on access to medicines, health systems, and sociotechnical systems. The analysis framework is organised into three domains: legal rights and obligations, good governance, and service implementation. Data from documentary analysis and field research were categorised within these domains.Results The findings indicate that the regulatory framework acts as a ‘letter of intent’, as legal guarantees are vague and lack clarity regarding responsibilities and resource allocation. Additional weaknesses include indecipherable financing, centralised management, cultural barriers, lack of transparency, and limited recognition of the right to access medicines among health professionals. These issues are further exacerbated by Angola's political-economic structure, external dependence on medicines, and insufficiently trained human resources.Conclusion To enhance access to necessary medicines and services, investment in the education of health professionals and training for community leaders is essential. Public policies regarding access to medicines in Angola are still incipient; therefore, improving drug policy and pharmaceutical services is crucial to ensure access within the framework of the right to comprehensive health care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1193eb58d24e4b51af5e1a5c1aec2e6c |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2052-3211 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-1193eb58d24e4b51af5e1a5c1aec2e6c2025-07-02T13:56:28ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice2052-32112025-12-0118110.1080/20523211.2025.2521429The patient ‘must find his own way’: public policies concerning access to medicines in AngolaElisa Dulce João Fundanga Calipi0Fernanda Manzini1Leandro Ribeiro Molina2Silvana Nair Leite3Post-Graduated Program in Pharmaceutical Police and Services, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, BrazilPost-Graduated Program in Pharmaceutical Police and Services, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, BrazilFlorianopolis Municipal Health Department, Florianopolis, BrazilPost-Graduated Program in Pharmaceutical Police and Services, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, BrazilBackground This study analyses public policies concerning access to medicines and pharmaceutical services in Angola from the right to health perspective. Angola, located in the Western Region of Southern Africa, gained independence in 1975, but the regulation of pharmaceutical activity was enacted only in 2010. Despite these policies, health policies alone do not guarantee the right to health.Methods This qualitative research involves documentary analysis, participant observation, and interviews, utilising theoretical frameworks on access to medicines, health systems, and sociotechnical systems. The analysis framework is organised into three domains: legal rights and obligations, good governance, and service implementation. Data from documentary analysis and field research were categorised within these domains.Results The findings indicate that the regulatory framework acts as a ‘letter of intent’, as legal guarantees are vague and lack clarity regarding responsibilities and resource allocation. Additional weaknesses include indecipherable financing, centralised management, cultural barriers, lack of transparency, and limited recognition of the right to access medicines among health professionals. These issues are further exacerbated by Angola's political-economic structure, external dependence on medicines, and insufficiently trained human resources.Conclusion To enhance access to necessary medicines and services, investment in the education of health professionals and training for community leaders is essential. Public policies regarding access to medicines in Angola are still incipient; therefore, improving drug policy and pharmaceutical services is crucial to ensure access within the framework of the right to comprehensive health care.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2521429Access to medicinespharmaceutical serviceshealth systemsnational medicines policyAngola |
| spellingShingle | Elisa Dulce João Fundanga Calipi Fernanda Manzini Leandro Ribeiro Molina Silvana Nair Leite The patient ‘must find his own way’: public policies concerning access to medicines in Angola Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice Access to medicines pharmaceutical services health systems national medicines policy Angola |
| title | The patient ‘must find his own way’: public policies concerning access to medicines in Angola |
| title_full | The patient ‘must find his own way’: public policies concerning access to medicines in Angola |
| title_fullStr | The patient ‘must find his own way’: public policies concerning access to medicines in Angola |
| title_full_unstemmed | The patient ‘must find his own way’: public policies concerning access to medicines in Angola |
| title_short | The patient ‘must find his own way’: public policies concerning access to medicines in Angola |
| title_sort | patient must find his own way public policies concerning access to medicines in angola |
| topic | Access to medicines pharmaceutical services health systems national medicines policy Angola |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2521429 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT elisadulcejoaofundangacalipi thepatientmustfindhisownwaypublicpoliciesconcerningaccesstomedicinesinangola AT fernandamanzini thepatientmustfindhisownwaypublicpoliciesconcerningaccesstomedicinesinangola AT leandroribeiromolina thepatientmustfindhisownwaypublicpoliciesconcerningaccesstomedicinesinangola AT silvananairleite thepatientmustfindhisownwaypublicpoliciesconcerningaccesstomedicinesinangola AT elisadulcejoaofundangacalipi patientmustfindhisownwaypublicpoliciesconcerningaccesstomedicinesinangola AT fernandamanzini patientmustfindhisownwaypublicpoliciesconcerningaccesstomedicinesinangola AT leandroribeiromolina patientmustfindhisownwaypublicpoliciesconcerningaccesstomedicinesinangola AT silvananairleite patientmustfindhisownwaypublicpoliciesconcerningaccesstomedicinesinangola |