RESUMO
OBJECTIVE:To provide theoretic support for medicine affordability evaluation in China by studying medicine af-fordability evaluation methods. METHODS:Through introducing the concept and evaluation methods of affordability,the evalua-tion steps of“catastrophic expenditure”and“medicine affordability”in medicine affordability evaluation methods were interpreted systematically. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:The catastrophic expenditure and impoverishing effect methods can measure med-icine affordability,but they both have limitations. Catastrophic expenditure evaluation method cannot measure the consequences of a catastrophic expenditure to the family,and ignore the reduction of family income after the occurrence of diseases. Impoverishing effect evaluation method cannot pay attention to originally poor population. These two evaluation methods complement each other, and can more objectively reflect the ability of patients bearing medical expenses,which can provide scientific references for poli-cies of enhancing medicine pricing and reimbursement system.