Double deprivation: Public and private drug distribution from the perspective of the third world poor

Millions of the world's poor have no access to life-saving drugs. Neither the public nor private drug distribution system caters for their needs. The Third World poor suffer from the unequal distribution of limited public health resources and dangerous sales pressures in the rapidly expanding and largely uncontrolled commercial markets. They lack purchasing power to influence the dynamics of the market which is characterized by a high turnover in profitable, but inessential products and expensive brand-name drugs. Comprehensive national drug policies to rationalize both public and private sectors and improve the availability of essential drugs are urgently needed.