Access to pediatric medicines in Albania: A qualitative study of family doctors’ perceptions

Abstract

Access to pediatric medications remains a challenge in Albania, with significant implications for child health outcomes. Family doctors often encounter difficulties in prescribing and ensuring access to appropriate treatments. This study aimed to explore prescriber perspectives on the accessibility of pediatric medicines in Albania and to identify key barriers and facilitators affecting access. Between March and April 2024, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 family doctors working in primary healthcare centers in Durrës. Data were analyzed deductively using the Pharmaceutical Value Chain framework, enhancing the methodological rigor of the analysis. Participants identified a range of perceived barriers, including regulatory constraints, pricing issues, limited medicine selection, procurement inefficiencies, and reimbursement challenges. Affordability emerged as a major concern, particularly for low-income families, and directly influenced prescribing behaviors. Shortages, especially of antibiotics frequently necessitated alternative treatments. While some pediatric medicines were available, concerns about the range, formulation, and quality persisted. Facilitators of access included effective patient counseling and clear communication between prescribers and pharmacists. Notably, policy, legislation, and health information technology were not identified as barriers by participants. This study highlights multiple perceived obstacles to pediatric medicine access as reported by prescribers. Findings underscore the need to enforce prescription regulations and update reimbursement policies for pediatric medicines, thereby informing future evidence-based policy interventions aimed at improving child health outcomes in Albania.