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Zaprutko T, Cynar J, Sygit M, Stolecka A, Skorupska P, Jaszcz P, Kopciuch D, Paczkowska A, Ratajczak P, Kus K. Medicines prices in International (Geary-Khamis) Dollar. The comparison between regulated and deregulated markets. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304400. [PMID: 38848422 PMCID: PMC11161061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Affordability of medicines is key for effective healthcare. Thus, we compared medicine prices using International Dollar (I$), which allows confronting the values of different currencies. Besides, we intended to verify if pharmaceutical market deregulation leads to lower medicines prices. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted the study between December 2019 and September 2022 collecting data from 21 countries. From the preliminary sampling of 30 medicines, we selected 10 brand names (5 Rx and 5 OTC brands) for the analysis. In each country, we collected price information from 3 pharmacies and then converted them to the I$ using the rates published by the International Monetary Fund. RESULTS There were differences between regulated and deregulated markets in prices presented in I$. For instance, Aspirin C® (10 soluble pills) was on average I$ 5.41 in Finland (regulated market) and I$ 13.25 in Brazil. The most expensive Xarelto® 20 x 28 pills (I$ 538.40) was in Romania, which in the case of other medicines, was in the group of cheaper countries. There was no statistical significance in price comparison between regulated and deregulated markets. In some cases, however, regulated markets offered lower prices of the same medicine than deregulated markets. CONCLUSION The analysis revealed differences in I$ prices between countries. Pharmaceutical market regulation does not mean higher prices of medicines. There is a need for affordable medicines. Hence, decision-makers should work on the medicines prices and adjust them to the local economies. I$ could be important in creating pharmaceuticals prices, and the conducted study should encourage other researchers to present their results using this currency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Zaprutko
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Julia Cynar
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Maria Sygit
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Stolecka
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Patrycja Skorupska
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Paulina Jaszcz
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Dorota Kopciuch
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Paczkowska
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Ratajczak
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kus
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Vann Yaroson E, Quinn G, Breen L. Medicines Shortages Reporting Systems (MSRS): An exploratory review of access and sustainability. Res Social Adm Pharm 2024; 20:72-83. [PMID: 38458895 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of medicines depends on their accessibility and availability. Dedicated medicine shortage reporting systems (MSRS) have been set up in different countries, either mandatory or voluntary, following the recommendations of the World Health Organisation to ensure these. OBJECTIVES To explore how the Medicine Shortages Reporting System (MSRS) can tackle medicine shortages through improved access and sustainability. METHODS Personnel directly involved in the reporting mechanisms for medicine shortages in eight (8) countries participated in semi-structured interviews. An interview protocol based on the Dynamic Capabilities View and Organisational Information Processing Theory (OIPT) was developed. It contained questions related to participant's views on the process involved in MSRS and how it was used to tackle shortages. Data were thematically analysed. RESULTS Three core elements were identified to influence MSRS's ability to tackle shortages and ensure sustainability; (1) the ability to identify what information requirements the reporting system needs, (2) identify information processing capabilities, and (3) the ability to match requirements and information processing capabilities through a dynamic capability decision-making process. The dynamic decision-making process involves reiteratively sensing shortages by understanding and validating information received. CONCLUSION Building MSRS to tackle shortages for accessibility and sustainability is a systemic process that entails understanding the various elements and processes of MSRS. It includes defining medicine shortages, reconfiguring resources, defining accessibility and ensuring the system's sustainability. Our study provides insights into MSRS developed for mitigating medicine shortages and provides a framework for a sustainable MSRS. The findings extend the literature on medicine shortage management by identifying the various elements required to set up an MSRS. It also provides practical implications for countries that seek to establish MSRS to mitigate medicine shortages. Further studies could extend the number of participating countries to provide a clearer picture of the MSRS and how it can reduce medicine shortages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Vann Yaroson
- University of Huddersfield Business School, Charles Sykes Building, Queensgate, HD1 3DH, UK.
| | - Gemma Quinn
- University of Bradford School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Richmond Building, Richmond Road, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK.
| | - Liz Breen
- University of Bradford School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Richmond Building, Richmond Road, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK.
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Javarayee P, Meylor J, Shahrukh S, Pollock S, Andrade-Machado R, Sah J, Patel H. US Generic Antiseizure Medication Supply Chain: Observations from Analysis of US Government Databases. Seizure 2024; 117:83-89. [PMID: 38354597 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generic drug manufacturing has shifted away from the U.S. in the last few decades. The medication supply chain, from manufacturers to resellers, has become increasingly globalized and complex. This has led to bottlenecks in their manufacture resulting in medication shortages. Review of this process as it pertains to antiseizure medications (ASM) shows gaps in our comprehension of its complexities. Understanding these processes will be essential for preventing medication shortages. OBJECTIVES The aim of this research is to examine the generic ASM supply with an emphasis on production, labeling, and repackaging. METHODS Data from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) website DailyMed was used to evaluate supply chain details to gather information on antiseizure medication formulations, manufacturing locations, and labeling. RESULTS Out of 3142 ASM-related active National Drug Code (NDC-9) codes, 2663 NDC-9 codes with Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) status were included in the analysis. Most (94.8 %) were enteral, with only 5.2 % being parenteral (intravenous and intramuscular route). We identified the manufacturing country for 82 % of these codes, corresponding to 306 unique ANDA numbers. 119 manufacturing sites in 12 countries produce generic ASM Finished Dosage Forms (FDF): 103 for enteral and 21 for parenteral. India is the main producer of enteral ASM FDFs with 49 sites, followed by the US with 36. Regarding parenteral formulation, five countries had 21 unique manufacturing locations. 42 % of the 103 enteral ASM FDFs manufacturing sites produced multiple ASM FDFs, with one facility making eight distinct ASMs. 34.4 % of facilities were associated with over 3 ANDAs, and 15.1 % with more than 5. 22.7 % of ANDAs lacked a manufacturing facility identifier. Repackaged ASM FDFs constituted 48 % of NDC-9 s. Gabapentin and pregabalin were the most common oral ASMs. CONCLUSIONS India is the major source for generic ASM FDFs manufacturing, leading to concerns about overall supply dependency on that country. There is a paucity of facilities for the global supply of parenteral ASM FDFs. There is missing data for many NDC-9 codes emphasizing urgency for transparency in the supply chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Javarayee
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America.
| | - Jennifer Meylor
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
| | - Shamshad Shahrukh
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
| | - Shannon Pollock
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
| | - Rene Andrade-Machado
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
| | - Jeetendra Sah
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States of America
| | - Hema Patel
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
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Oliveira-Martins S, Lopes MC, Cardoso Dos Santos A, Advinha AM. Portuguese Global Medicines Access Index 2021-An Indicator to Measure Access to Hospital Medicines. Value Health Reg Issues 2024; 41:80-85. [PMID: 38262256 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2023.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Access to innovative and effective medication is a citizen's right. The main objectives of this study were to build an indicator to measure access to medicines within hospitals, the Global Medicines Access Index, and to identify the main existing barriers. METHODS Cross-sectional study carried out in Portuguese National Health Service hospitals. A consensus methodology (expert panel of 7 members) was used to define which dimensions should be included in the index and the weighting that each should take. The panel identified 6 dimensions: access to innovative medicines, proximity distribution, shortages, access to medicines before financing decision, value-based healthcare, and access to medication depending on cost/funding. Data were collected through an electronic questionnaire (September 2021). RESULTS The response rate was 61.2%. Most hospitals used medicines with and without marketing authorization before the funding decision. Monitoring and generating evidence of new therapies results is still insufficient. The identified barriers were the administrative burden as the major barrier in purchasing medicines, with a relevant impact on shortages of medicines. Most respondents (87%) had a proximity distribution program, mainly implemented in the pandemic context, and the price/funding model was only identified by 10% as a barrier to access. The 2021 Global Medicines Access Index was 66%. Shortages and value-based use of medicines were the dimensions that had more influence in lowering the index value. CONCLUSIONS The new formula used to obtain a unique and multidimensional index for access to hospital medicines seems to be more sensitive and objective and will be used to monitor access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Oliveira-Martins
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; CHRC - Comprehensive Health Research Centre, University of Évora. Évora, Portugal.
| | | | | | - Ana Margarida Advinha
- CHRC - Comprehensive Health Research Centre, University of Évora. Évora, Portugal; Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
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Santhireswaran A, Chu C, Kim KC, Gaudette É, Burry L, Clement F, Suda K, Tadrous M. Early observations of Tier-3 drug shortages on purchasing trends across Canada: A cross-sectional analysis of 3 case-example drugs. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293497. [PMID: 38127996 PMCID: PMC10734939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To curb the growing impact of drug shortages, Health Canada developed the Tiered Notification and Communication Framework which assigns potential shortages a corresponding tiered status. Tier-3 is assigned to shortages with the greatest potential impact on the healthcare system. This study aims to describe drug purchasing trends in response to Tier-3 shortages using three case-examples. METHODS We conducted a time-series analysis of monthly purchasing data for three out of 17 Tier-3 drug shortages (hydralazine, sarilumab, and medroxyprogesterone acetate) with publicly available reports in July 2021 and available IQVIA MIDAS data from January 2016 to December 2021. We assessed percent changes in purchasing at 1-, 3-, and 6-months after the onset of each Tier-3 drug shortage and interventional ARIMA modelling was used to assess the statistical significance. RESULTS Medroxyprogesterone acetate experienced a significant shift (p = 0.0370) in purchasing following its shortage, and the 1-, 3-, and 6-month percent changes were +14.9%, +6.8% and -3.1%, respectively. Hydralazine and sarilumab did not show a significant shift. The 1-, 3-, and 6-month percent changes for hydralazine were +15.5%, +10.2%, and +9.6% respectively and +25.2%, +45.1% and +39.2 for sarilumab. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that drugs assigned a Tier-3 status may not show declines in purchasing in the months following status assignment, which may be due to policy responses following the assignment. However, more insight is needed into the mechanisms through which these policy measures impact shortages and whether they are functioning as intended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cherry Chu
- Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine Callaway Kim
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Étienne Gaudette
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Burry
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fiona Clement
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katie Suda
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Mina Tadrous
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
- Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Traoré SC, Decoene A, Mazaud P. Medicine shortages in France: a 6-year retrospective study in a university medical centre. Eur J Hosp Pharm 2023; 30:297-301. [PMID: 34758973 PMCID: PMC10447959 DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2021-002911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Medicine procurement disorders, commonly referred to as 'shortages', are a health-threatening phenomenon that have been reported by several stakeholders around the world. This study aimed to describe data from a mitigation tool, namely a shortages report implemented within one of the largest university hospitals in France over a 6-year period. METHODS For 6 years (from 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2020) the data used were collected from different sources: purchasing groups, distributors, manufacturers and the national health agency. The report included: medicine identification, disorder duration, starting and ending dates, available alternative products, the Anatomical Therapeutic and Chemical (ATC) classification. Different situations were described: medicine shortages, quotas, supply tensions and market withdrawals. RESULTS Over the 6-year period, 1780 disorders were registered comprising 0.67% market withdrawals, 16.97% quotas, 79.89% shortages and 2.47% supply tensions. The median duration of a disorder was 56 days and the most affected ATC classes were the nervous system (N), anti-infectives (J) and the cardiovascular system (C). A substitute medicine was registered for one-third of the disorders. In the N class, the most frequent level 4 classes were N01BB (local anaesthetic amids such as lidocaine, levobupivacaine and ropivacaine), N03AX (other antiepileptics) and N05AX (other antipsychotics). In the J class, the most frequent level 4 classes were J01CR (penicillin combinations), J01CA (extended-spectrum penicillins such as piperacillin and amoxicillin) and J01XX (other antibiotics for systematic use). CONCLUSIONS Procurement disorders are still spreading. The study results are similar to those of other research teams around the world. Common answers have to be found to deal with the phenomenon, that include standardisation and risk assessment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serri Christophe Traoré
- Pharmacy Department - Purchases and supplying section, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Anaelle Decoene
- Pharmacy Department - Purchases and supplying section, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Patric Mazaud
- Pharmacy Department - Purchases and supplying section, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
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Poulsen JH, Jensen SR, Clemmensen MH, Holck MV, Uldal N, Kart T, Nielsen GS, Armandi H, Hansen OLM. Evaluation of the establishment of a national task force - A systematic measure to manage critical drug shortages in hospitals. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2023; 11:100322. [PMID: 37694165 PMCID: PMC10485142 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Drug shortages (DSs) have become a well-known challenge in health care, and serious patient safety consequences, such as medication errors and adverse patient outcomes are reported. To meet these challenges, a national task force was established to manage and minimize the impact of critical DSs' on hospitals in Denmark. Objective To evaluate the establishment of the National Task Force for Critical Drug Shortages (NTF) in terms of quality, patient safety, and resources from different actor perspectives related to critical DS management in Danish hospitals. Methods Five online focus group interviews were held with participants representing different actor perspectives, all of whom were involved in managing DSs. They represent actors from 1) the NTF; 2) hospital pharmacists not involved in the NTF but who manage DSs locally and/or regionally; 3) the procurement departments of hospital pharmacies; 4) pharmacy technicians performing clinical pharmacy services at a patient level, and 5) the procurement and supply unit at Amgros. Results The thematic analysis revealed four major themes: 1) centralized management of critical DSs is predominantly considered to be positive, 2) collaboration and professional discussion across actors and actor levels, 3) mixed attitudes toward the current communication platforms and format, and 4) short supply of time. Conclusion The NTF ensures a consistent and qualified management of critical DSs. The NTF ensures the evaluation of different patient safety aspects related to identification of a suitable alternative. Challenges with the communication platform and transparency of the process from the NTF toward hospital pharmacy were mentioned but overall, the NTF contributes to a successful use of resources in health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Hanne Poulsen
- Medicines Information Center, The Hospital Pharmacy, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark
| | - Stine Raaby Jensen
- The Hospital Pharmacy, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, S, Denmark
| | - Marianne Hald Clemmensen
- Medicines Information Center, The Hospital Pharmacy, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Helle Armandi
- Medicines Information Center, The Hospital Pharmacy, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark
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Sánchez DIR, Vogler S. Shortages of Medicines to Treat COVID-19 Symptoms during the First Wave and Fourth Wave: Analysis of Notifications Reported to Registers in Austria, Italy, and Spain. PHARMACY 2023; 11:120. [PMID: 37489351 PMCID: PMC10366777 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11040120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate medicine shortages of critical relevance in the pandemic. A total of 487 active substances for the treatment of COVID-19-related symptoms and therapeutically similar medicines were reviewed as to whether or not a shortage had been notified in Austria, Italy, and Spain for February 2020, March 2020, April 2020 (first wave of the pandemic), and, in comparison, in November 2021 (fourth wave). Publicly accessible shortage registers managed by the national regulatory authorities were consulted. For 48 active substances, a shortage was notified for at least one of the study months, mostly March and April 2020. Out of these 48 active substances, 30 had been explicitly recommended as COVID-19 therapy options. A total of 71% of the active substances with notified shortage concerned medicines labeled as essential by the World Health Organization. During the first wave, Spain and Italy had higher numbers of shortage notifications for the product sample, in terms of active substances as well as medicine presentations, than Austria. In November 2021, the number of shortage notifications for the studied substances reached lower levels in Austria and Spain. The study showed an increase in shortage notifications for COVID-19-relevant medicines in the first months of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabine Vogler
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Policies, Pharmacoeconomics Department, Gesundheit Österreich (GÖG/Austrian National Public Health Institute), 1010 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
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9
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Izutsu KI, Ando D, Morita T, Abe Y, Yoshida H. Generic Drug Shortage in Japan: GMP Noncompliance and Associated Quality Issues. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1763-1771. [PMID: 36965844 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Government campaigns to replace off-patent brand pharmaceuticals with low cost generic products in national health insurance systems have apparently increased their production in the last two decades in Japan. The contamination of a batch of generic itraconazole tablets with the sleep inducer rilmazafone caused significant adverse events and related accidents in 2020, amidst increasing use of the generic products in healthcare. Investigations revealed many Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) violations and other evidence of poor quality management in the manufacturing/marketing authorization holder (MAH). Urgent inspection of other MAHs found multiple cases of GMP noncompliance that resulted in temporary administrative suspension. Various quality issues, including nonconformity in stability monitoring, in these generic MAHs resulted in prolonged suspension of product shipments and shortages in medical institutions. These problems highlighted long-standing issues in quality management by MAHs and inspections by authorities, which had been neglected during rapid production expansion. This review introduces these manufacturing control and management problems and their countermeasures, and discusses the impact of habitual inadequate development processes that disregard the quality-by-design (QbD) perspective as the root cause of the issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken-Ichi Izutsu
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Ando
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| | - Tokio Morita
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Abe
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yoshida
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
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Falco MF, Meyer JC, Putter SJ, Underwood RS, Nabayiga H, Opanga S, Miljković N, Nyathi E, Godman B. Perceptions of and Practical Experience with the National Surveillance Centre in Managing Medicines Availability Amongst Users within Public Healthcare Facilities in South Africa: Findings and Implications. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1838. [PMID: 37444672 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11131838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of the National Surveillance Centre (NSC) has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of managing medicines availability within the public healthcare system in South Africa. However, at present, there is limited data regarding the perceptions among users of the NSC and challenges that need addressing. A descriptive quantitative study was performed among all registered active NSC users between August and November 2022. Overall, 114/169 users responded to a custom-developed, self-administered questionnaire (67.5% response rate). Most respondents used the Stock Visibility System (SVS) National Department of Health (NDoH) (66.7% for medicines and 51.8% for personal protective equipment (PPE) or SVS COVID-19 (64.9% for COVID-19 vaccines) or RxSolution (57.0% manual report or 42.1% application programming interface (API)) for reporting medicines, PPE, and COVID-19 vaccines to the NSC and were confident in the accuracy of the reported data. Most respondents focused on both medicines availability and reporting compliance when accessing the NSC, with the integrated medicines availability dashboard and the COVID-19 vaccine dashboard being the most popular. The respondents believed the NSC allowed ease of access to data and improved data quality to better monitor medicines availability and use. Identified areas for improvement included improving internet connectivity, retraining some users, standardising the dashboards, adding more data points and reports, and expanding user adoption by increasing licence limits. Overall, this study found that the NSC in South Africa provides an effective solution for monitoring and improving medicines availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco F Falco
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
- United States Agency for International Development Global Health Supply Chain-Technical Assistance, Hatfield, Pretoria 0083, South Africa
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
- South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
| | - Susan J Putter
- United States Agency for International Development Global Health Supply Chain-Technical Assistance, Hatfield, Pretoria 0083, South Africa
| | - Richard S Underwood
- United States Agency for International Development Global Health Supply Chain-Technical Assistance, Hatfield, Pretoria 0083, South Africa
| | - Hellen Nabayiga
- Management Science Department, Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, 199 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0QU, UK
| | - Sylvia Opanga
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
| | - Nenad Miljković
- Institute of Orthopaedics Banjica, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ephodia Nyathi
- Affordable Medicine Directorate, National Department of Health, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
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Harrison MA, Marfo AFA, Annan A, Ankrah DNA. Access to cardiovascular medicines in low- and middle-income countries: a mini review. Glob Health Res Policy 2023; 8:17. [PMID: 37221559 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-023-00301-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many cardiovascular (CV) medicines are required for long term. However, with their limited resources, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may have challenges with access to cardiovascular medicines. The aim of this review was to provide a summary of available evidence on access to cardiovascular medicines in LMICs. METHODS We searched PubMed and Google scholar for English language articles on access to cardiovascular medicines for the period 2010-2022. We also searched for articles reporting measures for challenges in access to CV medicines from 2007 to 2022. Studies conducted in LMICs, and reporting availability and affordability were included for review. We also reviewed studies reporting affordability or availability using the World Health Organisation/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) method. Levels of affordability and availability were compared. RESULTS Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria for review on availability and affordability. Although availability appears to have improved, many countries did not meet the availability target of 80%. Between economies and within countries, there are equity gaps in access to CV medicines. Availability is lower in public health facilities than private facilities. Seven out of 11 studies reported availability less than 80%. Eight studies which investigated availability in the public sector reported less than 80% availability. Overall, CV medicines, especially combined treatments are not affordable in the majority of countries. Simultaneous achievement of availability and affordability target is low. In the studies reviewed, less than 1-53.5 days wages were required to purchase one month supply of CV medicines. Failure to meet affordability was 9-75%. Five studies showed that, on average 1.6 days' wages of the Lowest-Paid Government Worker (LPGW) was required to purchase generic CV medicines in the public sector. Efficient forecasting and procurement, increased public financing and policies to improve generic use, among others are measures for improving availability and affordability. CONCLUSIONS Significant gaps exist in access to cardiovascular medicines in LMICs, and in many low-and lower middle-income countries access to cardiovascular medicines is low. To improve access and achieve the Global Action Plan on non-communicable diseases in these countries, policy interventions must be urgently instituted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Amankwa Harrison
- Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle Bu, P.O. Box 77, Accra, Ghana.
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustine Annan
- Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle Bu, P.O. Box 77, Accra, Ghana
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Bade C, Olsacher A, Boehme P, Truebel H, Fehring L. Reasons for supply side driven drug shortages - A mixed-methods study on first-level, higher-level, and root causes from the perspective of marketing authorization holders. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023:S1551-7411(23)00271-1. [PMID: 37225602 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug shortages impact multiple stakeholders and are detrimental to patient safety. Additionally, drug shortages are an extensive financial burden. In Germany, drug shortages, according to data from the federal ministry for drug and medical products (BfArM), have been increasing by 18% between 2018 and 2021. Studies show that shortages are most frequently supply side driven and that often reasons remain unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim is to develop a holistic understanding of supply side causes for drug shortages in Germany from marketing authorization holders' perspectives and to derive implications for shortage mitigation. METHODS A mixed-methods research design, with a grounded theory approach based on a structured literature review, BfArM data analysis, and semi-structured interviews, was used. RESULTS Input factor supply issues, manufacturing issues, logistics issues, product recalls, and product discontinuations were identified as first-level causes. Furthermore, a theory on their connection to higher-level causes related to business decision-making, as well as root causes linked to regulations, company values, internal processes, market dynamics, external shocks, and macroeconomic factors, was developed. CONCLUSION Actions to mitigate drug shortages in Germany (e.g., improving business processes, diversifying tender criteria) were derived. These may thus increase patient safety and decrease the financial burden on the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celina Bade
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Alexandra Olsacher
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Philip Boehme
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Hubert Truebel
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany; The Knowledge House GmbH, Breite Straße 22, 40213, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Leonard Fehring
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany; Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal, Medizinische Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie Endokrionologie und Diabetoloige, Heusnerstraße 40, Wuppertal, Germany.
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13
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Welton J, Stratton G, Schoeninger B, Low MH, Moody A, D'Souza W. Shortages of antiseizure medications in Australia and the association with patient switching, and adherence in a community setting. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 141:109145. [PMID: 36913876 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To quantify sponsor-reported shortages of oral antiseizure medications in Australia, estimate the number of patients impacted, and the association between shortages and brand or formulation switching, and changes in adherence. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of sponsor-reported shortages (defined as where the supply of a medicine will not or will not be likely to meet the demand over a 6-month period) of antiseizure medications reported to the Medicine Shortages Reports Database (Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia); cross-referencing shortages to the IQVIA-NostraData Dispensing Data (LRx) database, a deidentified, population-level dataset collecting longitudinal dispensation data on individual patients from ∼75% of Australian community pharmacy scripts. RESULTS Ninety-seven sponsor-reported ASM shortages were identified between 2019 and 2020; of those, 90 (93%) were shortages of generic ASM brands. Of 1,247,787 patients dispensed ≥1 ASMs, 242,947 (19.5%) were impacted by shortages. Sponsor-reported shortages occurred more frequently before the COVID-19 pandemic versus during the pandemic, however, shortages were estimated to affect more patients during the pandemic than before the pandemic. An estimated 330,872 patient-level shortage events were observed, and 98.5% were associated with shortages of generic ASM brands. Shortages occurred at a rate of 41.06 shortages per 100 person-years in patients on generic ASM brands versus 0.83 shortages per 100 person-years in patients on originator ASM brands. In patients taking a formulation of levetiracetam affected by a shortage, 67.6% switched to a different levetiracetam brand or formulation during shortages compared with 46.6% in non-shortage periods. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 20% of patients on ASMs were estimated to have been impacted by an ASM shortage in Australia. The rate of patient-level shortages was approximately 50 times higher for patients on generic ASM brands versus originator brands. Shortages of levetiracetam were associated with formulation and brand switching. Improved supply chain management amongst sponsors of generic ASMs is needed to maintain the continuity of supply in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Welton
- UCB Pharma, Level 1, 1155 Malvern Road, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia; Department of Medicine - St Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Clinical Sciences Building, Level 4 / 29 Regent Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
| | - Giles Stratton
- IQVIA Australia, 8/201 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | | | - Min Hui Low
- IQVIA Australia, 8/201 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Anita Moody
- UCB Pharma, Level 1, 1155 Malvern Road, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia
| | - Wendyl D'Souza
- Department of Medicine - St Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Clinical Sciences Building, Level 4 / 29 Regent Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
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14
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Kwon HY, Godman B. Editorial: Pharmaceutical policy, impact and health outcomes. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1150055. [PMID: 36865922 PMCID: PMC9971951 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1150055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Young Kwon
- Division of Biology and Public Health, Mokwon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa,Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom,Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates,*Correspondence: Brian Godman,
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15
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Mbonane H, Sibanda M, Godman B, Meyer JC, Matlala M. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals on the use of an electronic stock visibility and management tool in a middle-income country: Implications for access to medicines. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2023; 9:100233. [PMID: 36845673 PMCID: PMC9945761 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Stock Visibility System (SVS) is a mobile application and web-based management tool used at public primary health care (PHC) facilities in South Africa to capture and monitor medicines availability, providing visibility at national level. Medicine stock-outs are prevalent despite the implementation of SVS, compromising patient care. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the use of the SVS at PHC level to provide future guidance. Method A cross-sectional study using a structured self-administered questionnaire among 206 HCPs at 21 randomly selected PHC facilities located in a health district in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Closed-ended questions were used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge on the SVS and practices on its use. A Likert scale was used to determine attitudes towards the SVS. Cronbach's alpha (α) was used to assess the internal consistency of the questionnaire and independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test statistical difference in the mean scores for KAP and socio-demographic variables. Association between knowledge and practices, and attitude and practices was determined using odds ratios (OR) and Chi-square. Results The majority (99.5%) of HCPs had previous training on SVS. Nearly two thirds (62.1%; 128/206) generally had good knowledge about the SVS and 76.7% (158/206) had positive attitudes towards the SVS while only 17.0% had a good practice score. There was no statistically significant association between KAP of HCPs on the use of the SVS, and sociodemographic variables (HCP qualification, age and sex). There was a significant association between the knowledge and practice scores (aOR: 5.44; 95% CI: 1.92-15.4; p = 0.001). Although positive attitudes, was associated with good practices, it was not statistically significant (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.46-3.22; p = 0.702). Conclusions HCPs in this district had poor practices when using SVS despite good knowledge and positive attitudes towards SVS and the higher the HCPs knowledge of SVS, the more desirable the practices on SVS. This underscores the need for continuous training of HCPs to ensure a constant and efficient supply of medicines to meet the health needs of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hlalanathi Mbonane
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University; Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa,East Boom Community Health Centre, 541 Boom Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa
| | - Mncengeli Sibanda
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University; Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa,South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa,Corresponding author at: Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa.
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University; Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa,Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates,Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Johanna C. Meyer
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University; Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa,South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa
| | - Moliehi Matlala
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University; Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa
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16
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Izutsu KI, Abe Y, Kurita M, Yoshida H. [Shortages of Prescription Drugs Due to Compliance and Quality Issues in Japan]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2023; 143:139-152. [PMID: 36418079 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.22-00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Several good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance issues and their associated quality problems that have been revealed since 2020 have led to large-scale recalls and supply suspensions of drug products in Japan. This paper provides an overview of the causes and countermeasures for supply disruptions of low-molecular-weight chemical pharmaceutical agents, focusing on quality-related issues. A recent increase in the use of generic drugs emphasized the importance of strengthening active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) supply chains and ensuring GMP compliance among drug manufacturers. In addition, increasing recalls in the drug products of certain marketing authorization holders due to storage stability problems strongly suggests the need to improve their development process considerably. Other measures to stabilize the supply of pharmaceuticals, including increasing stockpiles of APIs, were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yasuhiro Abe
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Mari Kurita
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences
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17
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Choi Y, Santhireswaran A, Chu C, Suda KJ, Hernandez I, Magnani JW, Tadrous M. Effects of the July 2018 worldwide valsartan recall and shortage on global trends in antihypertensive medication use: a time-series analysis in 83 countries. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068233. [PMID: 36707121 PMCID: PMC9884936 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to examine the effects of the July 2018 worldwide valsartan recall and shortage on global trends of antihypertensive medication use in 83 countries. METHODS A time-series analysis of monthly purchases of valsartan, other angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) across 83 countries from January 2017 to July 2020 was conducted using the IQVIA MIDAS database. Trends in outcomes were investigated globally and by economic level (developed vs developing economies). The valsartan recall's impact on antihypertensive use was assessed with interventional autoregressive integrated moving average modelling. RESULTS Global valsartan utilisation trends decreased significantly by 15.7% (-61 166 515 SU; p<0.0001), while global purchases of other ARBs increased by 44.8% (+958 069 420 SU; p=0.8523) and ACEIs increased by 1.6% (+44 106 747 SU; p=0.1102). Of the 32 developed countries, 20 (62.5%) showed a decline in 1-month percentage change in valsartan purchases, whereas only 10 out of 33 developing countries (30.3%) experienced a decrease in valsartan purchases. Mean 1-month, 3-month and 6-month percentage changes for developed countries were -1.2%, -9.3% and -12.2%, respectively, while the changes for developing countries were 25.0%, 7.3% and -1.2%. CONCLUSIONS Global valsartan purchases substantially decreased post-recall, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of drug shortages. Opposing utilisation trends by economic level raise concerns of potential distribution of contaminated medications from developed countries to developing countries. Concerted actions for equitable global access to quality medications and mitigation of drug shortages are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Choi
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Cherry Chu
- Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katie J Suda
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Inma Hernandez
- University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jared W Magnani
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mina Tadrous
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Point Prevalence Survey of Antimicrobial Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Different Hospitals in Pakistan: Findings and Implications. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 12:antibiotics12010070. [PMID: 36671271 PMCID: PMC9854885 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced antimicrobial use in hospitals, raising concerns regarding increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through their overuse. The objective of this study was to assess patterns of antimicrobial prescribing during the current COVID-19 pandemic among hospitals in Pakistan, including the prevalence of COVID-19. A point prevalence survey (PPS) was performed among 11 different hospitals from November 2020 to January 2021. The study included all hospitalized patients receiving an antibiotic on the day of the PPS. The Global-PPS web-based application was used for data entry and analysis. Out of 1024 hospitalized patients, 662 (64.64%) received antimicrobials. The top three most common indications for antimicrobial use were pneumonia (13.3%), central nervous system infections (10.4%) and gastrointestinal indications (10.4%). Ceftriaxone (26.6%), metronidazole (9.7%) and vancomycin (7.9%) were the top three most commonly prescribed antimicrobials among surveyed patients, with the majority of antibiotics administered empirically (97.9%). Most antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis were given for more than one day, which is a concern. Overall, a high percentage of antimicrobial use, including broad-spectrums, was seen among the different hospitals in Pakistan during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Multifaceted interventions are needed to enhance rational antimicrobial prescribing including limiting their prescribing post-operatively for surgical prophylaxis.
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Li Z, Xia T, Shen W, Chen S. Research on Co-Opetition Mechanism between Pharmaceutical Enterprises and Third-Party Logistics in Drug Distribution of Medical Community. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:609. [PMID: 36612930 PMCID: PMC9819418 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Third-party logistics (3PL) has a relatively perfect distribution system in solving the drug distribution of the medical community and optimizing the distribution efficiency of pharmaceutical enterprises, and it has gradually become an indispensable component of drug distribution. By constructing the co-opetition model of "Pharmaceutical Enterprises-3PL", this paper explores the game strategy choice between pharmaceutical enterprises and 3PL for the solution of drug distribution under the condition of information asymmetry, and it puts forward some suggestions to improve the competition and cooperation mechanism between pharmaceutical enterprises and 3PL in drug distribution in the medical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Li
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-15252900925
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20
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Barrett R, Barrett R, Lin SX, Culliford D, Fraser S, Edwards CJ. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prescription refills for immune-mediated inflammatory disorders: a time series analysis (January 2019 to January 2021) using the English Prescribing Dataset. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e051936. [PMID: 36564115 PMCID: PMC9791141 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate monthly prescription refills for common immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory therapy (sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, methotrexate, leflunomide) prescriptions in England during the complete first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary analysis examined unit cost analysis and regional use. DESIGN AND SETTING A national cohort of community-based, primary care patients who anonymously contribute data to the English Prescribing Dataset, dispensed in the community in England, were included. Descriptive statistics and interrupted time series analysis over 25 months (14 months before, 11 months after first lockdown) were evaluated (January 2019 to January 2021, with March 2020 as the cut-off point). OUTCOME MEASURES Prescription reimbursement variance in period before the pandemic as compared with after the first lockdown. RESULTS Fluctuation in monthly medicines use is noted in March 2020: a jump is observed for hydroxychloroquine (Mann-Whitney, SE 14.652, standardised test statistic 1.911, p value=0.059) over the study period. After the first lockdown, medicines use fluctuated, with wide confidence intervals. Unit-cost prices changed substantially: sulfasalazine 33% increase, hydroxychloroquine 98% increase, azathioprine 41% increase, methotrexate 41% increase, leflunomide 20% decrease. London showed the least quantity variance, suggesting more homogeneous prescribing and patient access compared with Midlands and East of England, suggesting that some patients may have received medication over/under requirement, representing potential resource misallocation and a proxy for adherence rates. Changepoint detection revealed four out of the five medicines' use patterns changed with a strong signal only for sulfasalazine in March/April 2020. CONCLUSIONS Findings potentially present lower rates of adherence because of the pandemic, suggesting barriers to care access. Unit price increases are likely to have severe budget impacts in the UK and potentially globally. Timely prescription refills for patients taking immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory therapies are recommended. Healthcare professionals should identify patients on these medicines and assess their prescription-day coverage, with planned actions to flag and follow-up adherence concerns in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravina Barrett
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Sharon X Lin
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David Culliford
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Simon Fraser
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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21
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Shi Y, Sun S, Deng J, Liu S, Yin T, Peng Q, Gong Z, Cheng Z, Zhou B. Establishment and Application of an Index System for the Risk of Drug Shortages in China: Based on Delphi Method and Analytic Hierarchy Process. Int J Health Policy Manag 2022; 11:2860-2868. [PMID: 35297233 PMCID: PMC10105199 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2022.6360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At present, the avoidance of drug shortages mainly relies on expert experience. This study aimed to establish an evaluation index system for the risk of drug shortages in medical institutions in China and to apply the system to guide the graded management of drugs in short supply. METHODS A two-round Delphi process was conducted to determine the indicators in the index system. The weight value of each indicator was calculated using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methods. The data of drugs in short supply from January 1 to December 31, 2020 in Hunan province were collected and evaluated using this index system. The evaluation scores, which ranged from 0 to 100, were calculated. RESULTS A three-level index system with four first-level indicators, 11 second-level indicators, and 36 third-level indicators was constructed by the two rounds of the Delphi process. The expert authority coefficient (Cr) of the first and second rounds of consultation were 0.88 and 0.90, respectively. The Kendall's coefficients of concordance (Kendall's W) for the two rounds of consultation were 0.44 and 0.50, respectively (P<.05). For the first-level indicators 'supply stability,' 'causes of shortage,' 'medicine availability in medical institution' and 'pharmaceutical properties,' the weight values were 0.3253, 0.2489, 0.2398, and 0.1860, respectively. Based on the risk evaluation score, drugs (dosage strength) at high risk of shortage included sodium thiosulfate (0.64 g), posterior pituitary lobe hormones (1 mL:6 IU), protamine sulfate (5 mL:50 mg), thrombin (500 U), urokinase (10 WU), and rotundine sulfate (2 mL:60 mg). CONCLUSION An indexed system for the risk assessment of drug shortages in China was established to guide the graded response to drug shortages in medical institutions and the implementation of differential management strategies to address these shortages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Drug Shortage Surveillance and Early Warning Center, Changsha, China
- The Hunan Institute of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, Changsha, China
| | - Shusen Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Drug Shortage Surveillance and Early Warning Center, Changsha, China
- The Hunan Institute of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, Changsha, China
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Western New England University, Springfeld, MA, USA
| | - Jing Deng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shao Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Drug Shortage Surveillance and Early Warning Center, Changsha, China
- The Hunan Institute of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Yin
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Drug Shortage Surveillance and Early Warning Center, Changsha, China
- The Hunan Institute of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, Changsha, China
| | - Qilin Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Drug Shortage Surveillance and Early Warning Center, Changsha, China
- The Hunan Institute of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, Changsha, China
| | - Zhicheng Gong
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Drug Shortage Surveillance and Early Warning Center, Changsha, China
- The Hunan Institute of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, Changsha, China
| | - Zihua Cheng
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Drug Shortage Surveillance and Early Warning Center, Changsha, China
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Boting Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Drug Shortage Surveillance and Early Warning Center, Changsha, China
- The Hunan Institute of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, Changsha, China
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22
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Sharma S, Sharma A, Moe HW, Khanapure A, Mohan P. A study to investigate the chemical potency, physical stability, and efficacy of analgesic agents over a period of two years post their expiry date. Med J Armed Forces India 2022; 78:S194-S200. [PMID: 36147412 PMCID: PMC9485846 DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2021.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As per regulations, drugs have to be used within their shelf life and must be discarded after their expiry date. The present study was conducted in commonly used analgesic agents to investigate the change in the physical, chemical, and efficacy parameters of the drugs over a period of two years after their expiry date. Methods The drugs studied were Tab Ibuprofen, Tab Diclofenac, Tab Piroxicam, Inj Diclofenac, and Inj Piroxicam. The parameters investigated were chemical potency, physical stability, and analgesic efficacy. Testing for these parameters was carried out once before expiry to establish the baseline followed by at expiry, and then every six months for two years post expiry date. Results The active ingredient in all the drugs were within the accepted range as per IP during the study period indicating that they retained their potency up to a period of two years post expiry. The analgesic efficacy as determined by the "Radiant Heat Tail flick" and "Acetic acid-induced writhing" model also showed no significant difference in the Maximum Possible Efficacy and Percent protection, indicating that the drugs retained their efficacy. There was a slight difference in the dissolution times at expiry as compared to different time periods in the case of Ibuprofen and Diclofenac, while there are was no statistical difference in the disintegration times during the study period. Conclusion The analgesic drugs in our study retained their chemical potency, physical stability and analgesic efficacy up to a period of two years after expiry. The expiry date of a drug, as estimated currently, is not an accurate reflection of its actual shelf life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushil Sharma
- Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
| | - A.K. Sharma
- Professor & Head, Department of Pharmacology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
| | - Htet Wai Moe
- Resident, Department of Pharmacology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
| | - Amol Khanapure
- Resident, Department of Pharmacology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
| | - Prafull Mohan
- Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
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23
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Godman B, Egwuenu A, Wesangula E, Schellack N, Kalungia AC, Tiroyakgosi C, Kgatlwane J, Mwita JC, Patrick O, Niba LL, Amu AA, Oguntade RT, Alabi ME, Ncube NBQ, Sefah IA, Acolatse J, Incoom R, Guantai AN, Oluka M, Opanga S, Chikowe I, Khuluza F, Chiumia FK, Jana CE, Kalemeera F, Hango E, Fadare J, Ogunleye OO, Ebruke BE, Meyer JC, Massele A, Malande OO, Kibuule D, Kapona O, Zaranyika T, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M, Kujinga T, Saleem Z, Kurdi A, Shahwan M, Jairoun AA, Wale J, Brink AJ. Tackling antimicrobial resistance across sub-Saharan Africa: current challenges and implications for the future. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022; 21:1089-1111. [PMID: 35876080 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2106368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a concern as this increases morbidity, mortality, and costs, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest rates globally. Concerns with rising AMR have resulted in international, Pan-African, and country activities including the development of national action plans (NAPs). However, there is variable implementation across Africa with key challenges persisting. AREAS COVERED Consequently, there is an urgent need to document current NAP activities and challenges across sub-Saharan Africa to provide future guidance. This builds on a narrative review of the literature. EXPERT OPINION All surveyed sub-Saharan African countries have developed their NAPs; however, there is variable implementation. Countries including Botswana and Namibia are yet to officially launch their NAPs with Eswatini only recently launching its NAP. Cameroon is further ahead with its NAP than these countries; though there are concerns with implementation. South Africa appears to have made the greatest strides with implementing its NAP including regular monitoring of activities and instigation of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Key challenges remain across Africa. These include available personnel, expertise, capacity, and resources to undertake agreed NAP activities including active surveillance, lack of focal points to drive NAPs, and competing demands and priorities including among donors. These challenges are being addressed, with further co-ordinated efforts needed to reduce AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Abiodun Egwuenu
- AMR Programme, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Evelyn Wesangula
- Patient and Health Workers Safety Division, AMR Focal Point, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Natalie Schellack
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Joyce Kgatlwane
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Julius C Mwita
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Okwen Patrick
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon, Africa
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Loveline Lum Niba
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon, Africa
- Department of Public Health, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Adefolarin A Amu
- Pharmacy Department, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Mobolaji Eniola Alabi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa
| | - Nondumiso B Q Ncube
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Israel Abebrese Sefah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Volta Region, Ghana
| | - Joseph Acolatse
- Pharmacy Directorate, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Robert Incoom
- Pharmacy Directorate, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Anastasia Nkatha Guantai
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Margaret Oluka
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sylvia Opanga
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ibrahim Chikowe
- Pharmacy Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Felix Khuluza
- Pharmacy Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Francis K Chiumia
- Pharmacy Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Collins Edward Jana
- Division of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Francis Kalemeera
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Ester Hango
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Olayinka O Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Bernard E Ebruke
- International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria (IFAIN), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Amos Massele
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Hurbert Kairuki Memorial University, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Oliver Ombeva Malande
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya
- East Africa Centre for Vaccines and Immunization (ECAVI), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Busitema University, Mbale, Tororo, Uganda
| | | | - Trust Zaranyika
- Department Of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mutsa Bwakura-Dangarembizi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
- Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Moyad Shahwan
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- College of Pharmacy and Health Science, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Janney Wale
- Independent consumer advocate, Brunswick, Australia
| | - Adrian J Brink
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Services, Cape Town, South Africa
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24
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Sabogal De La Pava ML, Tucker EL. Drug shortages in low- and middle-income countries: Colombia as a case study. J Pharm Policy Pract 2022; 15:42. [PMID: 35698240 PMCID: PMC9189796 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-022-00439-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drug shortages are a global problem. Analyzing shortages worldwide is important to identify possible relationships between drug shortages across countries, determine strategies that reduce drug shortages, and reduce the inequality in access to medicines between countries. In contrast to well-documented shortages in high-income countries, there are few studies that consider low- and middle-income economies. We evaluate drug shortages in one middle-income country, Colombia. Methods We collected data from INVIMA, the institution responsible for managing medicine shortage alerts in Colombia. We classified the data using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system and analyzed them using descriptive statistics. We considered a study period from 2015 to 2021 (vital medicines) and from 2010 to 2020 (non-vital medicines). Results In total, 173 unique ATC codes were in shortage. These included antidotes, alimentary tract and metabolism products, anesthetics, cardiac stimulants and antithrombotic agents. The major causes were manufacturing problems and few suppliers. Drug shortages substantially increased from 2020 to May 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among resolved shortages, the average duration was 1.6 years with a standard deviation of 1.9 years. The longest, naloxone tablets, were in shortage for almost 10 years. Conclusions Drug shortages are a persistent problem in Colombia. Government institutions have made progress in implementing systems and procedures to report them. However, the approaches implemented need to be maintained and refined. This study lays the groundwork for the analysis of drug shortages in other LMICs. We highlight the necessity of addressing drug shortages in their global context and reducing the inequality in access to medicines between countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily L Tucker
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.,School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
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25
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Proposal for Handling of Medicine Shortages Based on a Comparison of Retrospective Risk Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074102. [PMID: 35409787 PMCID: PMC8998354 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: We reviewed and compared current drug shortages and shortage management practices in six selected countries (Hungary, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, United States) based on the most comprehensive national shortage databases for each country, for four Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) groups, to analyze the criticality of drug shortages across countries and identify best practices in shortage management strategies. Materials and Methods: Countries were selected to cover a wide geographical range of high-income nations where a lack of economic power as a potential source of drug shortages is not observable. ATC groups were selected based on a pre-examination of the databases to analyze groups most often in shortage, and groups where the absence of which could have a severe negative impact on treatment outcomes. The bias originating from the different reporting systems had to be reduced to gain comprehensive and comparable information. The first bias-reducing mechanism was transforming the raw number of shortages into proportion per million people. Secondly, critical cases were classified, and thirdly, critical cases were compared with the Word Health Organization (WHO) Essential Medicine Lists. Results: The results indicate that every European country studied reports significantly higher total and critical shortages per population compared to the US and Australia. Within Europe, Hungary reports the highest number of cases both for total and critical shortages, while Spain has the lowest results in both aspects. While in the US and Australia critical shortages were observable in similar proportions across all ATC groups, in European countries ATC groups of anti-infectives for systemic use (J) and the nervous system (N) were found to account for a notably higher proportion of critical shortages. Current shortage management practices were examined in each country and classified into five groups to identify common best practices. Conclusions: Due to the different characterization of reporting systems, several bias-reducing mechanisms should be applied to compare and evaluate shortages. In addition, European harmonization should be initiated to create mutually acknowledged definitions and reporting systems, which could be the basis of good drug shortage handling practices in Europe.
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26
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Community Pharmacy Staff Knowledge, Opinion and Practice toward Drug Shortages in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J 2022; 29:1383-1391. [PMID: 35002375 PMCID: PMC8720696 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug shortages continue to pose a significant threat to public health and safety. Drug shortages not only worsen patient outcomes, but also significantly burden healthcare systems with additional costs. This study aimed to assess community pharmacy staff knowledge, opinion, and practice toward drug shortages in Saudi Arabia from November 2019 to March 2020. This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 1,008 community pharmacists from Saudi Arabia using a validated, self-administered and Internet-based survey. Analysis was done using chi square and fisher exact tests. Most participants were males (97.2%), less than 30 years old (48.1%), and non-Saudi citizens (94.4%), and 72.0% had good knowledge of drug shortages (score = 4–5). Around 36.0% reported that it takes 1–3 days to receive a response to the shortage report. There was a statistically significant association between the professional level of the community pharmacists and their opinion about reporting drug shortages (P < .05). Most community pharmacies (56.2%) did not receive any notification about drug shortages. In conclusion, most community pharmacists are knowledgeable and have good practice regarding drug shortages, but their opinions about drug shortages differ according to each pharmacy reporting policy.
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27
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Lohmann J, Brenner S, Koulidiati JL, Somda SMA, Robyn PJ, De Allegri M. No impact of performance-based financing on the availability of essential medicines in Burkina Faso: A mixed-methods study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000212. [PMID: 36962391 PMCID: PMC10021144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Access to safe, effective, and affordable essential medicines (EM) is critical to quality health services and as such has played a key role in innovative health system strengthening approaches such as Performance-based Financing (PBF). Available literature indicates that PBF can improve EM availability, but has not done so consistently in the past. Qualitative explorations of the reasons are yet scarce. We contribute to expanding the literature by estimating the impact of PBF on EM availability and stockout in Burkina Faso and investigating mechanisms of and barriers to change. The study used an explanatory mixed methods design. The quantitative study component followed a quasi-experimental design (difference-in-differences), comparing how EM availability and stockout had changed three years after implementation in 12 PBF and in 12 control districts. Qualitative data was collected from purposely selected policy and implementation stakeholders at all levels of the health system and community, using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and explored using deductive coding and thematic analysis. We found no impact of PBF on EM availability and stockouts in the quantitative data. Qualitative narratives converge in that EM supply had increased as a result of PBF, albeit not fully satisfactorily and sustainably so. Reasons include persisting contextual challenges, most importantly a public medicine procurement monopoly; design challenges, specifically a disconnect and disbalance in incentive levels between service provision and service quality indicators; implementation challenges including payment delays, issues around performance verification, and insufficient implementation of activities to strengthen stock management skills; and concurrently implemented policies, most importantly a national user fee exemption for children and pregnant women half way through the impact evaluation period. The case of PBF and EM availability in Burkina Faso illustrates the difficulty of incentivizing and effecting holistic change in EM availability in the presence of strong contextual constraints and powerful concurrent policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lohmann
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Brenner
- Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean-Louis Koulidiati
- Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Serge M A Somda
- Centre MURAZ, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- UFR/SEA, Université Nazi Boni, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Paul Jacob Robyn
- Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice, World Bank, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Manuela De Allegri
- Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Heidelberg, Germany
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28
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Romano S, Guerreiro JP, Teixeira Rodrigues A. Drug shortages in community pharmacies: Impact on patients and on the health system. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2021; 62:791-799.e2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2021.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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29
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Shafiq N, Pandey AK, Malhotra S, Holmes A, Mendelson M, Malpani R, Balasegaram M, Charani E. Shortage of essential antimicrobials: a major challenge to global health security. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-006961. [PMID: 34728479 PMCID: PMC8565534 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of access to safe and effective antimicrobials for human populations is a threat to global health security and a contributor to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The increasingly common shortages of antimicrobials are an additional threat to the emergence of AMR. While the threat of such drug shortages is most acutely experienced in low-income and middle-income settings, their consequences impact the quality and effectiveness of antimicrobials worldwide. Furthermore, there is a need for robustly conducted studies examining the impact of these increasingly prevalent shortages on patient outcomes and on the emergence and spread of AMR. In this review, we have mapped common drivers for antimicrobial shortages and propose strategies for rethinking the regulation, supply and pricing of antimicrobials to secure their sustainable access across diverse healthcare systems and to help minimise the unintended consequences of weak and ineffective supply chains. Greater government involvement in antimicrobial manufacture and supply is essential to ensure no one is left behind. Dedicated demand systems need to be developed for antimicrobials which take into consideration evolving AMR patterns, burden of diseases, pandemic events and supply and demand issues and facilitate implementation of strategies to address them. Interventions, ranging from advocacy and forecasting to public–private collaborations, new economic models and international consortia working across countries and supply chains, will help assure access to safe and effective antimicrobials to all populations around the globe and ensure that shortages no longer contribute to AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Shafiq
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Avaneesh Kumar Pandey
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Samir Malhotra
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Alison Holmes
- Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Marc Mendelson
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Rohit Malpani
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Manica Balasegaram
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Esmita Charani
- Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK .,Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Western Cape, South Africa
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30
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Godman B, Fadare J, Kwon HY, Dias CZ, Kurdi A, Dias Godói IP, Kibuule D, Hoxha I, Opanga S, Saleem Z, Bochenek T, Marković-Peković V, Mardare I, Kalungia AC, Campbell S, Allocati E, Pisana A, Martin AP, Meyer JC. Evidence-based public policy making for medicines across countries: findings and implications for the future. J Comp Eff Res 2021; 10:1019-1052. [PMID: 34241546 DOI: 10.2217/cer-2020-0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Global expenditure on medicines is rising up to 6% per year driven by increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and new premium priced medicines for cancer, orphan diseases and other complex areas. This is difficult to sustain without reforms. Methods: Extensive narrative review of published papers and contextualizing the findings to provide future guidance. Results: New models are being introduced to improve the managed entry of new medicines including managed entry agreements, fair pricing approaches and monitoring prescribing against agreed guidance. Multiple measures have also successfully been introduced to improve the prescribing of established medicines. This includes encouraging greater prescribing of generics and biosimilars versus originators and patented medicines in a class to conserve resources without compromising care. In addition, reducing inappropriate antibiotic utilization. Typically, multiple measures are the most effective. Conclusion: Multiple measures will be needed to attain and retain universal healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Hye-Young Kwon
- Division of Biology and Public Health, Mokwon University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Carolina Zampirolli Dias
- Graduate Program in Public Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Isabella Piassi Dias Godói
- Institute of Health & Biological Studies - Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Avenida dos Ipês, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Cidade Jardim, Marabá, Pará, Brazil
- Researcher of the Group (CNPq) for Epidemiological, Economic and Pharmacological Studies of Arboviruses (EEPIFARBO) - Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará; Avenida dos Ipês, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Cidade Jardim, Marabá, Pará, Brazil
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Iris Hoxha
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine Tirana, Albania
| | - Sylvia Opanga
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Zikria Saleem
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Tomasz Bochenek
- Department of Nutrition & Drug Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Vanda Marković-Peković
- Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Medicine, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia & Herzegovina
| | - Ileana Mardare
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine & Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Stephen Campbell
- Centre for Primary Care, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Eleonora Allocati
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri' IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Pisana
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antony P Martin
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, The University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
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31
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Shukar S, Zahoor F, Hayat K, Saeed A, Gillani AH, Omer S, Hu S, Babar ZUD, Fang Y, Yang C. Drug Shortage: Causes, Impact, and Mitigation Strategies. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:693426. [PMID: 34305603 PMCID: PMC8299364 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.693426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug shortage is a global issue affecting low, middle, and high-income countries. Many countries have developed various strategies to overcome the problem, while the problem is accelerating, affecting the whole world. All types of drugs, such as essential life-saving drugs, oncology medicines, antimicrobial drugs, analgesics, opioids, cardiovascular drugs, radiopharmaceutical, and parenteral products, are liable to the shortage. Among all pharmaceutical dosage forms, sterile injectable products have a higher risk of shortage than other forms. The causes of shortage are multifactorial, including supply issues, demand issues, and regulatory issues. Supply issues consist of manufacturing problems, unavailability of raw materials, logistic problems, and business problems. In contrast, demand issues include just-in-time inventory, higher demand for a product, seasonal demand, and unpredictable demand. For regulatory issues, one important factor is the lack of a unified definition of drug shortage. Drug shortage affects all stakeholders from economic, clinical, and humanistic aspects. WHO established global mitigation strategies from four levels to overcome drug shortages globally. It includes a workaround to tackle the current shortage, operational improvements to reduce the shortage risk and achieve early warning, changes in governmental policies, and education and training of all health professionals about managing shortages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundus Shukar
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Fatima Zahoor
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Yusra Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Khezar Hayat
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amna Saeed
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Ali Hassan Gillani
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Sumaira Omer
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Shuchen Hu
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Caijun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
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32
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Chow CK, Nguyen TN, Marschner S, Diaz R, Rahman O, Avezum A, Lear SA, Teo K, Yeates KE, Lanas F, Li W, Hu B, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Gupta R, Kumar R, Mony PK, Bahonar A, Yusoff K, Khatib R, Kazmi K, Dans AL, Zatonska K, Alhabib KF, Kruger IM, Rosengren A, Gulec S, Yusufali A, Chifamba J, Rangarajan S, McKee M, Yusuf S. Availability and affordability of medicines and cardiovascular outcomes in 21 high-income, middle-income and low-income countries. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-002640. [PMID: 33148540 PMCID: PMC7640501 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives We aimed to examine the relationship between access to medicine for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) among people at high risk of CVD in high-income countries (HICs), upper and lower middle-income countries (UMICs, LMICs) and low-income countries (LICs) participating in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Methods We defined high CVD risk as the presence of any of the following: hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, smoker, diabetes or age >55 years. Availability and affordability of blood pressure lowering drugs, antiplatelets and statins were obtained from pharmacies. Participants were categorised: group 1—all three drug types were available and affordable, group 2—all three drugs were available but not affordable and group 3—all three drugs were not available. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with nested clustering at country and community levels, adjusting for comorbidities, sociodemographic and economic factors. Results Of 163 466 participants, there were 93 200 with high CVD risk from 21 countries (mean age 54.7, 49% female). Of these, 44.9% were from group 1, 29.4% from group 2 and 25.7% from group 3. Compared with participants from group 1, the risk of MACEs was higher among participants in group 2 (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.31), and among participants from group 3 (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.50). Conclusion Lower availability and affordability of essential CVD medicines were associated with higher risk of MACEs and mortality. Improving access to CVD medicines should be a key part of the strategy to lower CVD globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Kayei Chow
- Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tu Ngoc Nguyen
- Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simone Marschner
- Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rafael Diaz
- Estudios Clinicos Latino America, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Omar Rahman
- Independent University, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
| | - Alvaro Avezum
- International Research Centre, Hospital Alemao Oswaldo Cruz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Scott A Lear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Koon Teo
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen E Yeates
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Wei Li
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Fuwai Hospital, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Fuwai Hospital, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | | | - Rajeev Gupta
- Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute, Jaipur, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Prem K Mony
- St John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Ahmad Bahonar
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Khalid Yusoff
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia.,Centre for Translational Research & Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rasha Khatib
- Institute for Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Illinois, Palestine.,Advocate Research Institute, Advocate Health Care, Hinsdale, Illinois, USA
| | - Khawar Kazmi
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Antonio L Dans
- Section of Adult Medicine & Medical Research Unit, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
| | - Katarzyna Zatonska
- Department of Social Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Khalid F Alhabib
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, King Fahad Cardiac Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Iolanthe Marike Kruger
- Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Annika Rosengren
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg and Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sadi Gulec
- Cardiology Department, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Jephat Chifamba
- Physiology Department, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Sumathy Rangarajan
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martin McKee
- Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Salim Yusuf
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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33
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Godman B, Egwuenu A, Haque M, Malande OO, Schellack N, Kumar S, Saleem Z, Sneddon J, Hoxha I, Islam S, Mwita J, do Nascimento RCRM, Dias Godói IP, Niba LL, Amu AA, Acolatse J, Incoom R, Sefah IA, Opanga S, Kurdi A, Chikowe I, Khuluza F, Kibuule D, Ogunleye OO, Olalekan A, Markovic-Pekovic V, Meyer JC, Alfadl A, Phuong TNT, Kalungia AC, Campbell S, Pisana A, Wale J, Seaton RA. Strategies to Improve Antimicrobial Utilization with a Special Focus on Developing Countries. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11060528. [PMID: 34200116 PMCID: PMC8229985 DOI: 10.3390/life11060528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a high priority across countries as it increases morbidity, mortality and costs. Concerns with AMR have resulted in multiple initiatives internationally, nationally and regionally to enhance appropriate antibiotic utilization across sectors to reduce AMR, with the overuse of antibiotics exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Effectively tackling AMR is crucial for all countries. Principally a narrative review of ongoing activities across sectors was undertaken to improve antimicrobial use and address issues with vaccines including COVID-19. Point prevalence surveys have been successful in hospitals to identify areas for quality improvement programs, principally centering on antimicrobial stewardship programs. These include reducing prolonged antibiotic use to prevent surgical site infections. Multiple activities centering on education have been successful in reducing inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials in ambulatory care for essentially viral infections such as acute respiratory infections. It is imperative to develop new quality indicators for ambulatory care given current concerns, and instigate programs with clear public health messaging to reduce misinformation, essential for pandemics. Regular access to effective treatments is needed to reduce resistance to treatments for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. Key stakeholder groups can instigate multiple initiatives to reduce AMR. These need to be followed up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK;
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa;
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang 11800, Malaysia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-0141-548-3825; Fax: +44-0141-552-2562
| | - Abiodun Egwuenu
- AMR Programme Manager, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja 240102, Nigeria;
| | - Mainul Haque
- Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kem Perdana Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
| | - Oliver Ombeva Malande
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, Egerton University, Nakuru, P.O. Box 536, Egerton 20115, Kenya;
- East Africa Centre for Vaccines and Immunization (ECAVI), Namela House, Naguru, Kampala P.O. Box 3040, Uganda
| | - Natalie Schellack
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences Building, University of Pretoria, Prinshof 349-Jr, Pretoria 0084, South Africa;
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar 382422, India;
| | - Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Jacqueline Sneddon
- Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow G1 2NP, UK; (J.S.); (R.A.S.)
| | - Iris Hoxha
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine Tirana, 1005 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Salequl Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh;
| | - Julius Mwita
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana;
| | - Renata Cristina Rezende Macedo do Nascimento
- Department of Pharmacy, Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences (CiPharma), School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil;
| | - Isabella Piassi Dias Godói
- Institute of Health and Biological Studies, Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Avenida dos Ipês, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Cidade Jardim, Marabá 68500-00, Pará, Brazil;
- Center for Research in Management, Society and Epidemiology, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MT, Brazil
| | - Loveline Lum Niba
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Ndamukong Street, Bamenda P.O Box 5175, Cameroon;
- Department of Public Health, University of Bamenda, Bambili P.O. Box 39, Cameroon
| | - Adefolarin A. Amu
- Pharmacy Department, Eswatini Medical Christian University, P.O. Box A624, Swazi Plaza, Mbabane H101, Eswatini;
| | - Joseph Acolatse
- Pharmacy Directorate, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Cape Coast, Ghana; (J.A.); (R.I.)
| | - Robert Incoom
- Pharmacy Directorate, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Cape Coast, Ghana; (J.A.); (R.I.)
| | - Israel Abebrese Sefah
- Pharmacy Department, Keta Municipal Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Keta-Dzelukope, Ghana;
- Pharmacy Practice Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
| | - Sylvia Opanga
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya;
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK;
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil 44001, Iraq
| | - Ibrahim Chikowe
- Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, Chichiri 30096, Blantyre 3, Malawi; (I.C.); (F.K.)
| | - Felix Khuluza
- Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, Chichiri 30096, Blantyre 3, Malawi; (I.C.); (F.K.)
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek 13301, Namibia;
| | - Olayinka O. Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos 100271, Nigeria;
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos 100271, Nigeria
| | - Adesola Olalekan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Lagos, Idiaraba, Lagos 100271, Nigeria;
- Centre for Genomics of Non-Communicable Diseases and Personalized Healthcare (CGNPH), University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos 100271, Nigeria
| | - Vanda Markovic-Pekovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Banja Luka, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Johanna C. Meyer
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa;
| | - Abubakr Alfadl
- National Medicines and Poisons Board, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan;
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah 56264, Qassim 56453, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong
- Pharmaceutical Administration & PharmacoEconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam;
| | - Aubrey C. Kalungia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
| | - Stephen Campbell
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Alice Pisana
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Janney Wale
- Independent Researcher, 11a Lydia Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia;
| | - R. Andrew Seaton
- Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow G1 2NP, UK; (J.S.); (R.A.S.)
- Infectious Disease Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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34
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Krikorian G, Torreele E. We Cannot Win the Access to Medicines Struggle Using the Same Thinking That Causes the Chronic Access Crisis. Health Hum Rights 2021; 23:119-127. [PMID: 34194206 PMCID: PMC8233016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The inequity in access to COVID-19 vaccines that we are witnessing today is yet another symptom of a pharmaceutical economy that is not fit for purpose. That it was possible to develop multiple COVID-19 vaccines in less than a year, while at the same time fostering extreme inequities, calls for transformative change in the health innovation and access ecosystem. Brought into the spotlight through the AIDS drugs access crisis, challenges in accessing lifesaving medicines and vaccines-because they are either not available or inaccessible due to excessive pricing-are being faced by people all over the world. To appreciate the underlying framing of current access discussions, it is important to understand past trends in global health policies and the thinking behind the institutions and mechanisms that were designed to solve access problems. Contrary to what might be expected, certain types of solutions intrinsically carry the conditions that enable scarcity, rationing, and inequity, and lead us away from ensuring the right to health. Analyzing the root causes of access problems and the political economy that allows them to persist and even become exacerbated is necessary to fix access inequities today and to design better solutions to ensure equitable access to health technologies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Els Torreele
- Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London, UK
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35
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Jovanović Lješković N, Jovanović Galović A, Stojkov S, Jojić N, Gigov S. Medicine Shortages in Serbia: Pharmacists' Standpoint and Potential Solutions for a Non-EU Country. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13040448. [PMID: 33810412 PMCID: PMC8066253 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Medicine shortages in Serbia have evidently been present for several decades, but literature data are scarce. The aim of our study was to get an insight on the present situation in Serbia, review the EU actions when managing shortages, and discern a set of potential measures. A short survey was conducted among 500 pharmacists in public pharmacies, in 23 cities in Serbia. The survey questions addressed frequency of drug shortages, professional actions in the event of shortages, main consequences to patients and pharmacies, putative causes, and pivotal measures for the prevention/mitigation of drug shortages under current conditions. Moreover, a Panel of Experts was organized, whose suggestions and opinions were used to analyze the present situation and to form a set of potential solutions and effective measures to mitigate shortages of medicines. In-depth analysis of current Serbian legislation was conducted, with emphasis on specific steps to be made within the actual legal framework. Examples of good practice in the EU, applicable to a country such as Serbia, were examined. Our research showed that although Serbia is, in some aspects, behind EU countries regarding the approaches to overcome medicine shortages, progress can be made within short period of time, by specific well-targeted actions. Both patients and pharmacists would benefit from it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Jovanović Lješković
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Business Academy, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (N.J.L.); (S.S.); (N.J.); (S.G.)
| | - Aleksandra Jovanović Galović
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Business Academy, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (N.J.L.); (S.S.); (N.J.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Svetlana Stojkov
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Business Academy, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (N.J.L.); (S.S.); (N.J.); (S.G.)
- College of Vocational Studies for the Education of Preschool Teachers and Sport Trainers, 24000 Subotica, Serbia
| | - Nikola Jojić
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Business Academy, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (N.J.L.); (S.S.); (N.J.); (S.G.)
| | - Slobodan Gigov
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Business Academy, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (N.J.L.); (S.S.); (N.J.); (S.G.)
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36
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Rocha WH, Teodoro JÁ, Assis Acurcio FD, Guerra AA, Gomes Moura IC, Godman B, Kurdi A, Rezende Macedo do Nascimento RC, Almeida AM. Influence of pharmaceutical services organization on the availability of essential medicines in a public health system. J Comp Eff Res 2021; 10:519-532. [PMID: 33739138 DOI: 10.2217/cer-2020-0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the influence of organizational structure and technical-management activities on the availability of essential medicines in the primary healthcare. Materials & methods: Cross-sectional, exploratory and evaluative study. The availability was evaluated according to parameters established by the WHO. Results: The average availability of standardized essential medicines was 83.3 and 73.3% for medicines purchased centrally by the Brazilian government. Among the therapeutic groups evaluated, the lowest average availability were for the tuberculostatics (24.1%) and psychotropic/special control medicines (30.3%). Conclusion: The availability of essential medicines was positively influenced by the presence of the pharmacist and by the computerized system deployed, and negatively associated with essential medicines purchased centrally by the federal government, especially in the smaller municipalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenderson Henrique Rocha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Postgraduate Program in Medicines & Pharmaceutical Services, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Juliana Álvares Teodoro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Postgraduate Program in Medicines & Pharmaceutical Services, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,School of Pharmacy, SUS Collaborating Centre for Technology Assessment & Excellence in Health, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Francisco de Assis Acurcio
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Postgraduate Program in Medicines & Pharmaceutical Services, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,School of Pharmacy, SUS Collaborating Centre for Technology Assessment & Excellence in Health, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Augusto Afonso Guerra
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Postgraduate Program in Medicines & Pharmaceutical Services, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,School of Pharmacy, SUS Collaborating Centre for Technology Assessment & Excellence in Health, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Isabel Cristina Gomes Moura
- Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Belo Horizonte, MoG, Brazil
| | - Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St. G4 0RE. Glasgow, UK.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet. Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge. SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Public Health Pharmacy & Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, 0208, South Africa
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St. G4 0RE. Glasgow, UK.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | | | - Alessandra Maciel Almeida
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Postgraduate Program in Medicines & Pharmaceutical Services, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Belo Horizonte, MoG, Brazil
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37
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The challenges of drug shortages in the Canadian hospital pharmacy supply chain — a systematic literature review. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-021-01485-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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38
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Godman B, Hill A, Simoens S, Selke G, Selke Krulichová I, Zampirolli Dias C, Martin AP, Oortwijn W, Timoney A, Gustafsson LL, Voncina L, Kwon HY, Gulbinovic J, Gotham D, Wale J, Cristina Da Silva W, Bochenek T, Allocati E, Kurdi A, Ogunleye OO, Meyer JC, Hoxha I, Malaj A, Hierländer C, Sauermann R, Hamelinck W, Petrova G, Laius O, Langner I, Yfantopoulos J, Joppi R, Jakupi A, Greiciute-Kuprijanov I, Vella Bonanno P, Piepenbrink JH, de Valk V, Wladysiuk M, Marković-Peković V, Mardare I, Fürst J, Tomek D, Obach Cortadellas M, Zara C, Pontes C, McTaggart S, Laba TL, Melien Ø, Wong-Rieger D, Bae S, Hill R. Potential approaches for the pricing of cancer medicines across Europe to enhance the sustainability of healthcare systems and the implications. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2021; 21:527-540. [PMID: 33535841 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2021.1884546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: There are growing concerns among European health authorities regarding increasing prices for new cancer medicines, prices not necessarily linked to health gain and the implications for the sustainability of their healthcare systems.Areas covered: Narrative discussion principally among payers and their advisers regarding potential approaches to the pricing of new cancer medicines.Expert opinion: A number of potential pricing approaches are discussed including minimum effectiveness levels for new cancer medicines, managed entry agreements, multicriteria decision analyses (MCDAs), differential/tiered pricing, fair pricing models, amortization models as well as de-linkage models. We are likely to see a growth in alternative pricing deliberations in view of ongoing challenges. These include the considerable number of new oncology medicines in development including new gene therapies, new oncology medicines being launched with uncertainty regarding their value, and continued high prices coupled with the extent of confidential discounts for reimbursement. However, balanced against the need for new cancer medicines. This will lead to greater scrutiny over the prices of patent oncology medicines as more standard medicines lose their patent, calls for greater transparency as well as new models including amortization models. We will be monitoring these developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.,Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Andrew Hill
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Steven Simoens
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gisbert Selke
- Wissenschaftliches Institut Der AOK (WIdO), Berlin, Germany
| | - Iva Selke Krulichová
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec, Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Carolina Zampirolli Dias
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Postgraduate Program in Medicines and Pharmaceutical Services, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,SUS Collaborating Centre for Technology Assessment and Excellence in Health (CCATES), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Antony P Martin
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK.,QC Medica, Sim Balk Lane, York UK
| | - Wija Oortwijn
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Angela Timoney
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.,NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lars L Gustafsson
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Hye-Young Kwon
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.,Division of Biology & Public Health, Mokwon University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jolanta Gulbinovic
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Janet Wale
- Independent Consumer Advocate, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wânia Cristina Da Silva
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Postgraduate Program in Medicines and Pharmaceutical Services, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Data and Knowledge Integration Center for Health(CIDACS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)/ Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Tomasz Bochenek
- Department of Nutrition and Drug Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Eleonora Allocati
- Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri' IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.,Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Olayinka O Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.,Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Iris Hoxha
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | | | - Christian Hierländer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Affairs, Federation of Social Insurances, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Sauermann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Affairs, Federation of Social Insurances, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Guenka Petrova
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmacoeconomics, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ott Laius
- State Agency of Medicines, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Irene Langner
- Wissenschaftliches Institut Der AOK (WIdO), Berlin, Germany
| | - John Yfantopoulos
- School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Roberta Joppi
- Pharmaceutical Drug Department, Azienda Sanitaria Locale of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Arianit Jakupi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, UBT - Higher Education Institution, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | | | - Patricia Vella Bonanno
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Vincent de Valk
- National Health Care Institute (ZIN), XH, Diemen, Netherlands
| | | | - Vanda Marković-Peković
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ileana Mardare
- Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Management Department, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Jurij Fürst
- Health Insurance Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dominik Tomek
- Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Corinne Zara
- Drug Department, Catalan Health Service, Catalan Health Service, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Caridad Pontes
- Drug Department, Catalan Health Service, Catalan Health Service, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Tracey-Lea Laba
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW
| | - Øyvind Melien
- Reviews and Health Technology Assessments, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Durhane Wong-Rieger
- Health Data Science, Institute of Population Health, Liverpool, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - SeungJin Bae
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Woman's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ruaraidh Hill
- Health Data Science, Institute of Population Health Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, Whelan Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Sefah IA, Ogunleye OO, Essah DO, Opanga SA, Butt N, Wamaitha A, Guantai AN, Chikowe I, Khuluza F, Kibuule D, Nambahu L, Abubakar AR, Sani IH, Saleem Z, Kalungia AC, Thi Phuong TN, Haque M, Islam S, Kumar S, Sneddon J, Wamboga J, Wale J, Miljković N, Kurdi A, Martin AP, Godman B. Rapid Assessment of the Potential Paucity and Price Increases for Suggested Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Across Developing Countries With a Particular Focus on Africa and the Implications. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:588106. [PMID: 33628173 PMCID: PMC7898676 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.588106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Countries across Africa and Asia have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments including hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation led to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages were also seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic consequences especially in countries with high co-payment levels. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further. Objective: Assess changes in utilisation, prices, and shortages of pertinent medicines and PPE among African and Asian countries since the start of pandemic. Our approach: Data gathering among community pharmacists to assess changes in patterns from the beginning of March until principally the end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation. Results: One hundred and thirty one pharmacists took part building on the earlier studies across Asia. There were increases in the utilisation of principally antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine) and antibiotics (azithromycin) especially in Nigeria and Ghana. There were limited changes in Namibia and Vietnam reflecting current initiatives to reduce inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries where documented. In addition, generally limited change in the utilisation of herbal medicines. However, shortages have resulted in appreciable price increases in some countries although moderated in others through government initiatives. Suggestions in Namibia going forward included better planning and educating patients. Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in the utilisation of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, concerns with increased utilisation of antimicrobials needs addressing alongside misinformation, unintended consequences from the pandemic and any appreciable price rises. Community pharmacists and patient organisations can play key roles in providing evidence-based advice, helping moderate prices through improved stock management, and helping address unintended consequences of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Abebrese Sefah
- Pharmacy Department, Keta Municipal Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Keta-Dzelukope, Ghana
- Pharmacy Practice Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Olayinka O. Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Nigeria
| | - Darius Obeng Essah
- Pharmacy Department, Keta Municipal Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Keta-Dzelukope, Ghana
| | - Sylvia A. Opanga
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nadia Butt
- Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Anastasia Nkatha Guantai
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Felix Khuluza
- Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Lahya Nambahu
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Abdullahi Rabiu Abubakar
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Haruna Sani
- Unit of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Zikria Saleem
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong
- Pharmaceutical Administration and PharmacoEconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mainul Haque
- Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Salequl Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, India
| | | | - Joshua Wamboga
- Uganda Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (UAPO), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Janney Wale
- Independent Consumer Advocate, Brunswick, VIC, Australia
| | - Nenad Miljković
- Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery “Banjica”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Antony P. Martin
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- QC Medica, York, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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Vogler S, Fischer S. How to address medicines shortages: Findings from a cross-sectional study of 24 countries. Health Policy 2020; 124:1287-1296. [PMID: 33032846 PMCID: PMC7505130 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Shortages of medicines have become a major public health challenge. The aim of this study was to survey national measures to manage and combat these shortages. A questionnaire survey was conducted with public authorities involved in the Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information (PPRI) network. Reponses relating to measures as of March / April 2020 were received from 24 countries (22 European countries, Canada and Israel). In 20 countries, manufacturers are requested to notify - usually on an obligatory basis - upcoming and existing shortages, which are recorded in a register. Further measures include a regular dialogue with relevant stakeholders (18 countries), financial sanctions for manufacturers in cases of non-supply and/or non-compliance with reporting or stocking requirements (15 countries) and simplified regulatory procedures (20 countries). For defined medicines, supply reserves have been established (14 countries), and legal provisions allow the issuing of export bans (10 countries). Some measures have been introduced since the end of 2019 and countries are planning and discussing further action. While governments reacted by taking national measures, the COVID-19 crisis might serve as an opportunity to join forces in cross-country collaboration and develop joint (e.g. European) solutions to address the shortage issue in a sustainable manner. A practical first step could be to work on a harmonisation of the national registers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Vogler
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Policies, Pharmacoeconomics Department, Gesundheit Österreich (GÖG / Austrian National Public Health Institute), 1010 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Stefan Fischer
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Policies, Pharmacoeconomics Department, Gesundheit Österreich (GÖG / Austrian National Public Health Institute), 1010 Vienna, Austria.
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41
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Martei YM, Iwamoto K, Barr RD, Wiernkowski JT, Robertson J. Shortages and price variability of essential cytotoxic medicines for treating children with cancers. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:bmjgh-2020-003282. [PMID: 33173011 PMCID: PMC7656942 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) face the largest burden of mortality from childhood cancers with limited access to curative therapies. Few comparative analyses across all income groups and world regions have examined the availability and acquisition costs of essential medicines for treating cancers in children. Methods A cross-sectional survey involved countries in five income groups—low-income (LIC), lower-middle-income (LMC), upper-middle-income (UMC), two high-income country groups (HIC1, HIC2). Physicians and pharmacists reported institutional use, availability, stock outs and prices (brand and generic products) of 34 essential medicines. Price comparisons used US$, applying foreign exchange rates (XR) and purchasing power parity (PPP) adjustments. Medicine costs for treating acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and Wilms tumour (WT) were calculated (child 29 kg, body surface area 1 m2). Comparisons were conducted using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results Fifty-eight respondents (50 countries) provided information on medicine use, availability and stock outs, with usable price data from 42 facilities (37 countries). The extent of use of International Society of Paediatric Oncology core and ancillary medicines varied across income groups (p<0.0001 and p=0.0002 respectively). LMC and LIC facilities used fewer medicines than UMC and HIC facilities. UMC and LMC facilities were more likely to report medicines not available or stockouts. Medicine prices varied widely within and between income bands; generic products were not always cheaper than brand equivalents. PPP adjustment showed relatively higher prices in UMC and LMC facilities for some medicines. Medicine costs were highest in HICs for ALL (p=0.0075 XR; p=0.0178 PPP-adjusted analyses) and WT (p =<0.0001 XR; p=0.0007 PPP-adjusted). Medicine costs for BL were not significantly different. Conclusion Problems with the availability of essential medicines, dependable supply chains, confidential medicine prices and wide variability in treatment costs contribute to persistent challenges in the care of children with treatable cancers, especially in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehoda M Martei
- Hematology - Oncology Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kotoji Iwamoto
- Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals Programme, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ronald D Barr
- Pediatric Haematology/Oncology, McMaster University and McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - John T Wiernkowski
- Pediatric Haematology/Oncology, McMaster University and McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jane Robertson
- Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals Programme, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Clinical Pharmacology, University of Newcastle, Waratah, New South Wales, Australia
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42
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Ogunleye OO, Basu D, Mueller D, Sneddon J, Seaton RA, Yinka-Ogunleye AF, Wamboga J, Miljković N, Mwita JC, Rwegerera GM, Massele A, Patrick O, Niba LL, Nsaikila M, Rashed WM, Hussein MA, Hegazy R, Amu AA, Boahen-Boaten BB, Matsebula Z, Gwebu P, Chirigo B, Mkhabela N, Dlamini T, Sithole S, Malaza S, Dlamini S, Afriyie D, Asare GA, Amponsah SK, Sefah I, Oluka M, Guantai AN, Opanga SA, Sarele TV, Mafisa RK, Chikowe I, Khuluza F, Kibuule D, Kalemeera F, Mubita M, Fadare J, Sibomana L, Ramokgopa GM, Whyte C, Maimela T, Hugo J, Meyer JC, Schellack N, Rampamba EM, Visser A, Alfadl A, Malik EM, Malande OO, Kalungia AC, Mwila C, Zaranyika T, Chaibva BV, Olaru ID, Masuka N, Wale J, Hwenda L, Kamoga R, Hill R, Barbui C, Bochenek T, Kurdi A, Campbell S, Martin AP, Phuong TNT, Thanh BN, Godman B. Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1205. [PMID: 33071775 PMCID: PMC7533592 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed considerable lives. There are major concerns in Africa due to existing high prevalence rates for both infectious and non-infectious diseases and limited resources in terms of personnel, beds and equipment. Alongside this, concerns that lockdown and other measures will have on prevention and management of other infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are an increasing issue with rising morbidity and mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that a lack of nets and treatment could result in up to 18 million additional cases of malaria and up to 30,000 additional deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE Document current prevalence and mortality rates from COVID-19 alongside economic and other measures to reduce its spread and impact across Africa. In addition, suggested ways forward among all key stakeholder groups. OUR APPROACH Contextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet-based publications coupled with input from senior-level personnel. ONGOING ACTIVITIES Prevalence and mortality rates are currently lower in Africa than among several Western countries and the USA. This could be due to a number of factors including early instigation of lockdown and border closures, the younger age of the population, lack of robust reporting systems and as yet unidentified genetic and other factors. Innovation is accelerating to address concerns with available equipment. There are ongoing steps to address the level of misinformation and its consequences including fines. There are also ongoing initiatives across Africa to start addressing the unintended consequences of COVID-19 activities including lockdown measures and their impact on NCDs including the likely rise in mental health disorders, exacerbated by increasing stigma associated with COVID-19. Strategies include extending prescription lengths, telemedicine and encouraging vaccination. However, these need to be accelerated to prevent increased morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION There are multiple activities across Africa to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and address misinformation, which can have catastrophic consequences, assisted by the WHO and others, which appear to be working in a number of countries. Research is ongoing to clarify the unintended consequences given ongoing concerns to guide future activities. Countries are learning from each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayinka O. Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Debashis Basu
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Determinants of Health and Health in all Policies, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Debjani Mueller
- Charlotte Maxeke Medical Research Cluster, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - R. Andrew Seaton
- Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Joshua Wamboga
- Uganda Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (UAPO), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nenad Miljković
- Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery “Banjica”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Julius C. Mwita
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Godfrey Mutashambara Rwegerera
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Botswana and Department of Medicine, Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Amos Massele
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Okwen Patrick
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Loveline Lum Niba
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon
- Department of Public Health, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
| | | | | | | | - Rehab Hegazy
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Adefolarin A. Amu
- Pharmacy Department, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Afriyie
- Pharmacy Department, Ghana Police Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - George Awuku Asare
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Seth Kwabena Amponsah
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | - Israel Sefah
- Ghana Health Service, Pharmacy Department, Keta Municipal Hospital, Keta-Dzelukope, Ghana
- Pharmacy Practice Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | - Margaret Oluka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anastasia N. Guantai
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sylvia A. Opanga
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tebello Violet Sarele
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville-campus, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Ibrahim Chikowe
- Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Felix Khuluza
- Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Francis Kalemeera
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Mwangana Mubita
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University , Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Laurien Sibomana
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Gwendoline Malegwale Ramokgopa
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Determinants of Health and Health in all Policies, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Carmen Whyte
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Determinants of Health and Health in all Policies, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tshegofatso Maimela
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Determinants of Health and Health in all Policies, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Johannes Hugo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Determinants of Health and Health in all Policies, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital and University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Johanna C. Meyer
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Natalie Schellack
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Enos M. Rampamba
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacy, Tshilidzini Hospital, Shayandima, South Africa
| | - Adel Visser
- Eugene Marais Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Abubakr Alfadl
- National Medicines Board, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
- Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elfatih M. Malik
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- Community Medicine Council, SMSB, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Oliver Ombeva Malande
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya
- East Africa Centre for Vaccines and Immunization (ECAVI), Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Chiluba Mwila
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Trust Zaranyika
- Department of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Ioana D. Olaru
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nyasha Masuka
- Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Janney Wale
- Independent Consumer Advocate, Brunswick, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Regina Kamoga
- Uganda Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (UAPO), Kampala, Uganda
- Community Health and Information Network (CHAIN), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ruaraidh Hill
- Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Tomasz Bochenek
- Department of Nutrition and Drug Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Stephen Campbell
- Centre for Primary Care, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Antony P. Martin
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- HCD Economics, The Innovation Centre, Daresbury, United Kingdom
| | - Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong
- Pharmaceutical Administration & PharmacoEconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Binh Nguyen Thanh
- Pharmaceutical Administration & PharmacoEconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Brian Godman
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
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Burry LD, Barletta JF, Williamson D, Kanji S, Maves RC, Dichter J, Christian MD, Geiling J, Erstad BL. It Takes a Village…: Contending With Drug Shortages During Disasters. Chest 2020; 158:2414-2424. [PMID: 32805237 PMCID: PMC7426714 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Critical drug shortages have been widely documented during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly for IV sedatives used to facilitate mechanical ventilation. Surges in volume of patients requiring mechanical ventilation coupled with prolonged ventilator days and the high sedative dosing requirements observed quickly led to the depletion of “just-in-time” inventories typically maintained by institutions. This manuscript describes drug shortages in the context of global, manufacturing, regional and institutional perspectives in times of a worldwide crisis such as a pandemic. We describe etiologic factors that lead to drug shortages including issues related to supply (eg, manufacturing difficulties, supply chain breakdowns) and variables that influence demand (eg, volatile prescribing practices, anecdotal or low-level data, hoarding). In addition, we describe methods to mitigate drug shortages as well as conservation strategies for sedatives, analgesics and neuromuscular blockers that could readily be applied at the bedside. The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the need for a coordinated, multi-pronged approach to optimize medication availability as individual or unilateral efforts are unlikely to be successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Burry
- Department of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | | | - David Williamson
- Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal-Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Salmaan Kanji
- The Ottawa Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan C Maves
- Department of Medicine, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA; Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jeffrey Dichter
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Division, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Michael D Christian
- London's Air Ambulance, Royal London Hospital, Barts NHS Health Trust, London, England
| | | | - Brian L Erstad
- The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Tucson, AZ
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44
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Miljković N, van Overbeeke E, Godman B, Kovačević M, Anastasi A, Bochenek T, Huys I, Miljković B. Practical Implications From European Hospital Pharmacists on Prospective Risk Assessment for Medicine Shortages. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:407. [PMID: 32850907 PMCID: PMC7419473 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to obtain a comprehensive overview on the perception, attitudes, and experience of European pharmacists with prospective risk assessment procedures in everyday practice, as well as to identify challenges and solutions. This is a follow-up study to the surveys on prospective risk assessment previously carried out within the COST Action 15105 among pharmacists across Europe. Methodology: In-depth interviews were performed using an interview guide comprising 25 questions. Interviews were transcribed ad verbatim and imported into NVivo 10 for framework analysis. In NVivo, the interviews were coded through assigning text segments to a responding code from a coding tree, covering the full content of the interviews. Coded text segments were then charted into a matrix, and analyzed by interpreting all text segments per code. Results: In total, 18 interviews were conducted. From the framework analysis, 6 codes and 12 sub-codes emerged. Overall, despite citing specific issues pertaining to its implementation, the interviewees considered multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary prospective risk assessment to be essential. While healthcare professionals reported being aware of the importance of risk assessment, they cited insufficient knowledge and skills to be a major obstacle in everyday practice. They also reported inadequate IT support since a paper-based system is still widely in use, thereby complicating data extraction to carry out prospective risk assessment. Conclusion: While prospective risk assessment was found to be valuable, interviewees also found it to be a resource-intensive and time-consuming process. Due to resource constraints, it may not be possible or desirable to conduct prospective risk assessment for every shortage. However, for critical-essential drugs, it is crucial to have a ready-to-use substitute based on risk assessment. Moreover, potential risks of substitutes on patient health should be identified before a shortage occurs and the substitute is dispensed as an alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nenad Miljković
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery "Banjica", University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Brian Godman
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Department of Public Health and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Milena Kovačević
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Alison Anastasi
- Central Procurement and Supplies Unit, The Malta Ministry for Health, San Gwann, Malta
| | - Tomasz Bochenek
- Department of Drug Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Isabelle Huys
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Branislava Miljković
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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45
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Alshakka M, Mohamed Ibrahim MI, Bahattab A, Badulla WFS, Shankar PR. An insight into the pharmaceutical sector in Yemen during conflict: challenges and recommendations. Med Confl Surviv 2020; 36:232-248. [PMID: 32718201 DOI: 10.1080/13623699.2020.1794287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In our world today, we need to understand, measure, and respond to inequality. The conflict and siege in Yemen have caused serious repercussions and consequences for the pharmaceutical sector and health of the people. Hospital, health centres and facilities, medicines warehouses and pharmaceutical factories have been destroyed. Further, the conflict has aggravated the health situation with shortages of medicines, an increase in chronic illnesses, and multiple epidemics and casualties. This article aims to highlight the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector in Yemen. It will address the overall state of health of the Yemeni people, as well as focus on the past, current status and future development of the pharmaceutical sector. Further, it will focus on possible remedial actions to solve some of these problems. These problems can be tackled if the responsible parties have the political will to do so. Acknowledging the different classes of problems is undeniably very important to provide clarity on the future of Yemen's supposedly promising pharmaceutical landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alshakka
- Section of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aden University , Aden, Yemen
| | | | - Awsan Bahattab
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Aden University , Aden, Yemen
| | - Wafa F S Badulla
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aden University , Aden, Yemen
| | - P Ravi Shankar
- Department of Basic Sciences, Oceania University of Medicine , Apia, Samoa
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46
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Miljković N, Batista A, Polidori P, Kohl S, Horák P. Results of EAHP's 2019 Medicines Shortages Survey. Eur J Hosp Pharm 2020; 27:202-208. [PMID: 32471816 DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2020-002341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of the 2019 EAHP Medicines Shortages Survey was to collect information on reasons and management strategies for medicines shortages as well as details on their impact on patients. The survey targeted hospital pharmacists (HPs), physicians (PHYs), nurses (NRS) and other healthcare professionals (OHCPs). A separate set of questions addressed patients (PTNs). METHODS A 28-question survey was conducted by EAHP, collecting information from European HPs, PTNs, NRS, PHYs and OHCPs on the shortage situation in their respective countries. The survey ran from 7 November 2019 to 13 January 2020. The results were analysed by EAHP. RESULTS There were 2136 HP responses to the 2019 survey compared with 1666 in 2018. While 95% of HPs and 89% of OHCPs consider medicine shortages a current problem, only 71% of PHYs and 62% of NRS state the same. Shortages of active pharmaceutical ingredients (72%), manufacturing (72%) and supply chain problems (49%) are leading causes of shortages according to HPs, while PHYs (40%) and NRS (37%) consider the pricing to be their driver. Antimicrobials and oncology medicines were most affected by shortages in 2019. Compared to 2018, the percentage of respondents who reported shortages of oncology medicines increased from 39% to 47% in 2019. HPs (42%), PHYs (36%) and OHCPs (38%) consider delays in care as the main consequence of medication shortages. The satisfaction with reporting systems for medicine shortages decreased from 56% in 2018 to 48% in 2019 for HPs, while they remain low for PHYs (36%). CONCLUSIONS Medicines shortages affect patient care and healthcare professionals' everyday tasks. Better enforcing of the mandatory early notification of shortages and structured mitigation response is recognised by all respondents as best strategy to tackle shortages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nenad Miljković
- Hospital Pharmacy, Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery 'Banjica', Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aida Batista
- Pharmacy, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, EPE, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Piera Polidori
- Hospital Pharmacy, Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stephanie Kohl
- Policy & Advocacy, European Association of Hospital Pharmacists, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Petr Horák
- Hospital Pharmacy, Motol University Hospital, Praha, Czech Republic
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47
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Petykó ZI, Inotai A, Holtorf AP, Brixner D, Kaló Z. Barriers and facilitators of exploiting the potential of value-added medicines. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2020; 20:229-236. [PMID: 32321326 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2020.1758558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) is costly and only a minority of patients can access innovative medicines due to affordability constraints. Value-added medicines (VAMs) can offer potential benefits at significantly lower R&D costs. AREAS COVERED VAMs may address different health care needs and problems, including off-label use of medicines, poor patient adherence, problems related to polypharmacy, need for home and/or personalized health care services. However, several barriers prevent societies from maximizing the benefits of incremental innovation related to VAMs. Generic manufacturers have limited budget and experience to demonstrate the value of new VAMs. Current market exclusivity options do not efficiently exclude freeridership and do not guarantee a return on investment for VAM innovators. Value propositions of VAMs are limitedly consistent with current HTA frameworks, consequently, incremental innovation is not acknowledged, nor rewarded with differential pricing by payers. Moreover, VAMs are often perceived solely as generic medicines by prescribers. EXPERT OPINION Current practices may need to be reconsidered to exploit the full societal benefit of VAMs, including more efficient policies to guarantee market exclusivity for incremental innovation, acknowledgment of a fair price premium based on a specific value framework and the acceptance of low-cost evidence generation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Ida Petykó
- Center for Health Technology Assessment, Semmelweis University , Budapest, Hungary.,Syreon Research Institute , Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Inotai
- Center for Health Technology Assessment, Semmelweis University , Budapest, Hungary.,Syreon Research Institute , Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Diana Brixner
- Pharmacotherapy Outcomes Research Center, Department of Pharmacotherapy, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Zoltán Kaló
- Center for Health Technology Assessment, Semmelweis University , Budapest, Hungary.,Syreon Research Institute , Budapest, Hungary
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Garcia MM, Azevedo PS, Mirelman A, Safatle LP, Iunes R, Bennie MC, Godman B, Guerra Junior AA. Funding and Service Organization to Achieve Universal Health Coverage for Medicines: An Economic Evaluation of the Best Investment and Service Organization for the Brazilian Scenario. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:370. [PMID: 32351382 PMCID: PMC7175689 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are many health benefits since 31 years after the foundation of the National Health Service (NHS) in Brazil, especially the increase in life expectancy. However, family-income inequalities, insufficient funding, and suboptimal private sector-public sector collaboration are still areas for improvement. The efforts of Brazil to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) for medicines have resulted in increased public financing of medicines and their availability, reducing avoidable hospitalization and mortality. However, lack of access to medicines still remains. Due to historical reasons, pharmaceutical service organization in developing countries may have important differences from high-income countries. In some cases, developing countries finance and promote medicine access by using the public infrastructure of health care/medical units as dispensing sites and cover all costs of medicines dispensed. In contrast, many high-income countries use private community pharmacies and cover the costs of medicines dispensed plus a fee, which includes all logistic costs. In this study, we will undertake an economic evaluation to understand the funding needs of the Brazilian NHS to reduce inequalities in access to medicines through adopting a pharmaceutical service organization similar to that seen in many high-income countries with hiring/accrediting private pharmacies. METHODS We performed an economic evaluation of a model to provide access to medicines within public funds based on a decision tree model with two alternative scenarios public pharmacies (NHS, state-owned facilities) versus private pharmacies (NHS, agreements). The analysis assumed the perspective of the NHS. We identified the types of resources consumed, the amount, and costs in both scenarios. We also performed a budget impact forecast to estimate the incremental funding required to reduce inequalities in access to essential medicines in Brazil. FINDINGS The model without rebates for medicines estimated an incremental cost of US$3.1 billion in purchasing power parity (PPP) but with an increase in the average availability of medicines from 65% to 90% for citizens across the country irrespective of family income. This amount places the NHS in a very good position to negotiate extensive rebates without the need for external reference pricing for government purchases. Forecast scenarios above 35% rebates place the alternative of hiring private pharmacies as dominant. Higher rebate rates are feasible and may lead to savings of more than US$1.3 billion per year (30%). The impact of incremental funding is related to medicine access improvement of 25% in the second year when paying by dispensing fee. The estimate of the incremental budget in five years would be US$4.8 billion PPP. We have yet to explore the potential reduction in hospital and outpatient costs, as well as in lawsuits, with increased availability with the yearly expenses for these at US$9 billion and US$1.4 billion PPP respectively in 2017. INTERPRETATION The results of the economic evaluation demonstrate potential savings for the NHS and society. Achieving UHC for medicines reduces household expenses with health costs, health litigation, outpatient care, hospitalization, and mortality. An optimal private sector-public sector collaboration model with private community pharmacy accreditation is economically dominant with a feasible medicine price negotiation. The results show the potential to improve access to medicines by 25% for all income classes. This is most beneficial to the poorest families, whose medicines account for 76% of their total health expenses, with potential savings of lives and public resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Morgado Garcia
- Department of Social Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Collaborating Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Excellence (CCATES), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pamela Santos Azevedo
- Department of Social Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Collaborating Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Excellence (CCATES), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Andrew Mirelman
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Leandro Pinheiro Safatle
- Department of Medicines Market Regulation - Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Marion Clark Bennie
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Management School, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Augusto Afonso Guerra Junior
- Department of Social Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Collaborating Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Excellence (CCATES), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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49
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Miljković N, Godman B, Kovačević M, Polidori P, Tzimis L, Hoppe-Tichy T, Saar M, Antofie I, Horvath L, De Rijdt T, Vida RG, Kkolou E, Preece D, Tubić B, Peppard J, Martinez A, Yubero CG, Haddad R, Rajinac D, Zelić P, Jenzer H, Tartar F, Gitler G, Jeske M, Davidescu M, Beraud G, Kuruc-Poje D, Haag KS, Fischer H, Sviestina I, Ljubojević G, Markestad A, Vujić-Aleksić V, Nežić L, Crkvenčić A, Linnolahti J, Ašanin B, Duborija-Kovačević N, Bochenek T, Huys I, Miljković B. Prospective Risk Assessment of Medicine Shortages in Europe and Israel: Findings and Implications. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:357. [PMID: 32273845 PMCID: PMC7114887 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction While medicine shortages are complex, their mitigation is more of a challenge. Prospective risk assessment as a means to mitigate possible shortages, has yet to be applied equally across healthcare settings. The aims of this study have been to: 1) gain insight into risk-prevention against possible medicine shortages among healthcare experts; 2) review existing strategies for minimizing patient-health risks through applied risk assessment; and 3) learn from experiences related to application in practice. Methodology A semi-structured questionnaire focusing on medicine shortages was distributed electronically to members of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action 15105 (28 member countries) and to hospital pharmacists of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) (including associated healthcare professionals). Their answers were subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analysis (Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and IBM SPSS Statistics®) with descriptive statistics based on the distribution of responses. Their proportional difference was tested by the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test for independence. Differences in the observed ordinal variables were tested by the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test. The qualitative data were tabulated and recombined with the quantitative data to observe, uncover and interpret meanings and patterns. Results The participants (61.7%) are aware of the use of risk assessment procedures as a coping strategy for medicine shortages, and named the particular risk assessment procedure they are familiar with failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) (26.4%), root cause analysis (RCA) (23.5%), the healthcare FMEA (HFMEA) (14.7%), and the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) (14.7%). Only 29.4% report risk assessment as integrated into mitigation strategy protocols. Risk assessment is typically conducted within multidisciplinary teams (35.3%). Whereas 14.7% participants were aware of legislation stipulating risk assessment implementation in shortages, 88.2% claimed not to have reported their findings to their respective official institutions. 85.3% consider risk assessment a useful mitigation strategy. Conclusion The study indicates a lack of systematically organized tools used to prospectively analyze clinical as well as operationalized risk stemming from medicine shortages in healthcare. There is also a lack of legal instruments and sufficient data confirming the necessity and usefulness of risk assessment in mitigating medicine shortages in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nenad Miljković
- Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery "Banjica", University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Brian Godman
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Department of Public Health and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Milena Kovačević
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Piera Polidori
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, IRCCS, ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Leonidas Tzimis
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Chania General Hospital, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Marika Saar
- Pharmacy Department, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ioan Antofie
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Spitalul Clinic C. F. Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Laszlo Horvath
- Department of Pharmaceutical Surveillance and Economics, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Thomas De Rijdt
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, UZ Herestraat, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Róbert György Vida
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Central Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Elena Kkolou
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - David Preece
- Leeds Medicines Advisory Service, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Biljana Tubić
- Sector for Medicinal Products, Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.,Faculty of Medicine-Department of Pharmacy, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Joan Peppard
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, Ireland
| | - Alicia Martinez
- Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofía, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ratiba Haddad
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France
| | - Dragana Rajinac
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Pavle Zelić
- International Cooperation and Public Relation Department, Medicines and Medical Device Agency of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Helena Jenzer
- Health Division, Berner Fachhochschule Health Professions Ernährung und Diätetik, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Franci Tartar
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, General Hospital Celje, Celje, Slovenia
| | - Gunda Gitler
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Apotheke der Barmherzigen Brüdere. U., Linz, Austria
| | - Martina Jeske
- Pharmacy Department, University Clinic-State Hospital of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michal Davidescu
- Faculty of Social Sciences, The Graduate School of Business Administration, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Guillaume Beraud
- Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.,Department of Public Health, Université Droit et Santé Lille 2, Lille, France
| | - Darija Kuruc-Poje
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, General hospital "dr. Tomislav Bardek", Koprivnica, Croatia
| | | | - Hanne Fischer
- Strategic Procurement and Supply of Pharmaceuticals, Amgros I/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inese Sviestina
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Children's Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | - Gordana Ljubojević
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation "Dr Miroslav Zotović", Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Anne Markestad
- National Center for Medicine Shortages in Hospitals, Oslo universitetssykehus HF, Nydalen, Norway
| | - Vesna Vujić-Aleksić
- Certification Department, The Republic of Srpska Agency for Certification, Accreditation and Quality Improvement in Health Care, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.,Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Lana Nežić
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Anica Crkvenčić
- Community Pharmacy Department, Pharmacy "Biljana", Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Bogdan Ašanin
- Department of Surgery, Department of Medical Ethics, Medical Faculty of the University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Nataša Duborija-Kovačević
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty of the University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Tomasz Bochenek
- Department of Drug Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Isabelle Huys
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Branislava Miljković
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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50
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Modisakeng C, Matlala M, Godman B, Meyer JC. Medicine shortages and challenges with the procurement process among public sector hospitals in South Africa; findings and implications. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:234. [PMID: 32192481 PMCID: PMC7082963 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medicine shortages are a complex global challenge affecting all countries. This includes South Africa where ongoing medicine shortages are a concern among public sector hospitals as South Africa strives for universal access to healthcare. The objectives of this research were to highlight challenges in the current pharmaceutical procurement process for public sector hospitals. Subsequently, suggest potential ways forward based on the findings as the authorities in South Africa seek to improve the procurement process. METHOD Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 pharmacy managers in public sector hospitals in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. A thematic content analysis was performed, with transcripts coded by two of the authors. Coding was discussed until consensus was reached. Categories were developed and grouped into themes. RESULTS The 'Procurement process' emerged from the data as the overarching theme, rooted in three main themes: (i) The buy-out process that was used to procure medicines from suppliers other than the contracted ones; (ii) Suppliers not performing thereby contributing to medicine shortages in the hospitals; and (iii) Challenges such as the inaccuracy of the electronic inventory management system used in the hospitals. CONCLUSIONS Effective management of contracts of suppliers by the Provincial Department of Health is crucial to ensure accessibility and availability of essential medicines to all citizens of South Africa. Ongoing monitoring and support for the future use of computerised inventory management systems is important to reduce medicine shortages, and this is being followed up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Modisakeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Private Bag, Pretoria, South Africa.,Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Moliehi Matlala
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Brian Godman
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Johanna Catharina Meyer
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
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