NCD Drugs, Client and Pharmacist Perspective Report

Overview & Synopsis

Cambodia has achieved significant progress in improving health outcomes, including reductions in infant and maternal mortality and communicable diseases. However, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which accounted for nearly two-thirds of mortality in 2019, presents new challenges. With 76 percent of patients initially seeking care in the private sector and out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) accounting for 61 percent of total health spending, financial barriers remain substantial. To address these issues, Cambodia’s Universal Health Coverage Roadmap aims to reduce OOPE by expanding the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Health Equity Fund (HEF), alongside strengthening governance mechanisms such as licensing, accreditation, and strategic purchasing. This report examines how private pharmacies, often the first point of contact in the health system, can be integrated into social health protection (SHP) schemes to improve access to affordable NCD medicines. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including literature review, service assessments, surveys, focus group discussions, and key stakeholder interviews, with a focus on hypertension and diabetes care.