However, the share of out-of-pocket payment for pharmaceuticals is high, accounting for 18% of current health expenditure, compared with the OECD average of 7%. This suggests access to pharmaceuticals can be challenging in the country, particularly among low-income groups. Data on pharmaceutical consumption and sales are limited in Latvia but the only available data for international comparisons show that sales of antibacterials for systemic use measured in defined daily dose (DDD) are about 35% lower than the OECD average.