CCHE Seminar Series: Health Financing and Access to Medicines in the Caribbean

Health Financing and Access to Medicines in the Caribbean

Rebecca Hancock-Howard
University of Toronto

Friday February 2, 2023, 10am-12pm, HSB Rm. 412 and Zoom

Abstract: Medicines are an important component of health care and health systems. Lack of access to medicines adds to disease burden and contributes to health inequities. Access to medicines in the Caribbean region is lagging targets, and improvements are needed to ensure people have appropriate, quality medicines, available at the right price and at the right place. This presentation will provide a brief assessment of some aspects of health financing considered relevant to access to medicines in the Caribbean. This assessment was guided by an analysis framework organized under three main domains: system financing, access barriers, and out-of-pocket costs. Nine recommendations are provided to guide national and regional efforts and policy discussions to improve the region’s current organization, financing, and provision of medicines.

 Rebecca Hancock-Howard is a health economist with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. She is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and an advisory committee member for Ontario’s Committee to Evaluate Drugs. Rebecca is passionate about using health economic evidence to inform real world decision-making and policy. Currently, she is a consultant with the Accessing Centre for Expertise,