Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing www.iiste.org ISSN 2422-8419 An International Peer-reviewed Journal Vol.27, 2016 45 Improving on the Accessibility and Availability of Essential Drugs in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State Chuku Irene* Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy: University of Calabar Teaching Hospital – Nigeria PO box 1111, Calabar, Nigeria Eyong Abiodun Komomo Department of Pharmacy, University Medical Centre, University of Calabar – Nigeria PO box 1111, Calabar, Nigeria Onyema Okwu Augustina National Youth Service Corps, Km 5, Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, Cross River State– Nigeria PO box 1111, Calabar, Nigeria Eyo Okon Asuquo Department of Community Medcine, University of Calabar – Nigeria PO box 1111, Calabar, Nigeria Peter Okpe Agada Pharmacist, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar – Nigeria PO box 1111, Calabar, Nigeria The research is financed by Authors Abstract In this research the accessibility and accessibility of essential drugs in private and public facilities have been surveyed in the Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State with solutions proffered on how to improve upon the accessibility and availability of these essential drugs by respondents via structured questionnaires. About 37 (40.2%) of the respondents were of the opinion that drug suppliers should be paid on time to enable them extend credit facilities and also the cost of drugs should be reduced to make the drugs more affordable. 27 (29.3%) respondents called for the enforcement of relevant drug policies, avoid corruption which meant diversion of monies that should be used to purchase essential drugs for the populace and multiple prescriptions should be discouraged. About 20% of the respondents were of the opinion that there should be effective transportation and distribution of drug products so that stock outs will be avoided when the drugs are taken to places where they will be effectively utilized and the incidences of expired drugs will be minimized with less wastage. More so, about 15% of the respondent believed that health personnel should be trained in inventory management of drugs and public education on drug use should be enhanced. In addition, storage facilities of drugs should be improved and finally about 7% of the respondents believed that making pharmacists in charge of distribution and sales of drug will improve accessibility and availability. Furthermore, the research shows 16.19 % and 44.76 %; OB and GB overall drug availability in the public health facilities respectively and 64.76 % and 82.3 0 %, OB and GB overall drug availability in the private health facilities indicating a higher drug availability in the private facilities. In facilities, Salbutamol inhaler 0.1mg dose and Glibenclamide 5mg tablets are the most readily accessible and available drugs. Keywords: Improving, availability, accessibility, essential drugs. 1. Introduction According to WHO, (1995) health is defined a state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing and not merely the absence disease or infirmity. Good health is one of the fundamental human rights and a basis for the development of individuals and nations. These developments cut across personal, social and economic development. To achieve these, essential drugs must be provided as well as ensuring access to basic health services. Generally one third of the world’s population lacks access to essential medicine and in countries like Africa and Asia; up to 50% of the total population do not even have the most basic essential drugs. Access is defined as the timely use of services according to needs (Peters et al.., 2008). According to Essien, (2005), about 50 million people die yearly whereby 20% of these are due to treatable communicable diseases such as diarrhea, malaria and tuberculosis. In developing countries this scenario is made worse by extreme poverty and deprivation, emergence of new diseases and high prices of newly developed essential drugs. There exist social gaps between the standards of health care between developed