Objectives:

To investigate access to medicines in patients affiliated with the Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or arterial hypertension (HT) in three regions of Peru.

Material and methods:

Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out through two surveys adapted methods developed by WHO. Patients affiliated to the SIS with DM and/or HTA were surveyed at the exit of a pharmacy from public health facilities, and facilities of public and private pharmaceutical establishments were visited in the provinces of Cajamarca and Trujillo, and Callao region.

Results:

46% of patients received all prescribed products. The average availability in private pharmaceutical offices was 53% and in the public 36%. In private pharmaceutical offices the median price on average was 7.7 times higher than the reference price and in public offices it was 1.5. Despite the difference in prices, oral treatments are affordable and insulin treatment is not. 30% of the patients took more than 30 minutes to reach public health facilities and paid an average of 13.45 nuevos soles. In pharmacies in establishments of categories II-2 and III-1, 29% of patients are treated in 30 minutes or more. 44% of patients agree with the phrase "the SIS covers all medications and I don't have to pay for them".

Conclusion:

There are barriers that limit access to medicines for patients affiliated with SIS with DM and/or HTA in public health facilities and private pharmaceutical offices in Peru.

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