Dima Qato

Dima Qato

Senior Fellow, USC Schaeffer Center; Hygeia Centennial Chair and Associate Professor, USC School of Pharmacy; Director, Program on Medicines and Public Health, USC School of Pharmacy

Dr. Qato conducts interdisciplinary research efforts focusing on drug utilization, access to medicines, and pharmaceutical policy both in the U.S. and across the world to better understand why medications are used or not used, and how they should be used to promote equity, longevity, and good health. Her research utilizes population-based methods to analyze the mechanisms responsible for how medications are used, how these patterns may influence health outcomes and health disparities, and what can be done from a community and policy perspective to address these growing disparities. To promote public accountability and to better ensure access to and safe use of medications, she is interested in incorporating the concept of “essential medicines” in payment and regulatory decision-making in ongoing healthcare reform. Learn more about her recent work on pharmacy deserts here and on the full scope of her research here and here.