RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the accessibility of essential medicines in medical institutions at all levels in Liaoning province, and provide reference for the improvement of related policies. METHODS: The WHO/HAI standardized approach adjusted based on China′s national conditions was adopted. The availability, median price ratio (MPR) and disease burden per capita income were used as evaluation indicators and methods. RESULTS: ① Fifty-two percent (52%) of the surveyed drugs′ availability is lower than the international general standard (50%); there was a significant difference in the availability of sample drugs at all levels of medical institutions. The specific performance was primary (27.3%) 0.05). ③In rural and urban areas, seventy-seven percent(77%) and ninety-two percent(92%) of essential medicines each have a course of treatment cost that is less than the WHO referenced standard, respectively. CONCLUSION: Under the premise that the affordability of essential medicines is good, the availability of primary medical institutions is the lowest among surveyed institutions. In order to ensure the fairness and accessibility of essential medicines, it is suggested to strengthen the supply of essential drugs for primary-level medical institutions.