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Pantoja T, Peñaloza B, Cid C, Herrera CA, Ramsay CR, Hudson J. Pharmaceutical policies: effects of regulating drug insurance schemes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022; 5:CD011703. [PMID: 35502614 PMCID: PMC9062704 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011703.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug insurance schemes are systems that provide access to medicines on a prepaid basis and could potentially improve access to essential medicines and reduce out-of-pocket payments for vulnerable populations. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on drug use, drug expenditure, healthcare utilisation and healthcare outcomes of alternative policies for regulating drug insurance schemes. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, nine other databases, and two trials registers between November 2014 and September 2020, including a citation search for included studies on 15 September 2021 using Web of Science. We screened reference lists of all the relevant reports that we retrieved and reports from the Background section. Authors of relevant papers, relevant organisations, and discussion lists were contacted to identify additional studies, including unpublished and ongoing studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We planned to include randomised trials, non-randomised trials, interrupted time-series studies (including controlled ITS [CITS] and repeated measures [RM] studies), and controlled before-after (CBA) studies. Two review authors independently assessed the search results and reference lists of relevant reports, retrieved the full text of potentially relevant references and independently applied the inclusion criteria to those studies. We resolved disagreements by discussion, and when necessary by including a third review author. We excluded studies of the following pharmaceutical policies covered in other Cochrane Reviews: those that determined how decisions were made about which conditions or drugs were covered; those that placed restrictions on reimbursement for drugs that were covered; and those that regulated out-of-pocket payments for drugs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data from the included studies and assessed risk of bias for each study, with disagreements being resolved by consensus. We used the criteria suggested by Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) to assess the risk of bias of included studies. For randomised trials, non-randomised trials and controlled before-after studies, we planned to report relative effects. For dichotomous outcomes, we reported the risk ratio (RR) when possible and adjusted for baseline differences in the outcome measures. For interrupted time series and controlled interrupted time-series studies, we computed changes along two dimensions: change in level; and change in slope. We undertook a structured synthesis following the EPOC guidance on this topic, describing the range of effects found in the studies for each category of outcomes. MAIN RESULTS We identified 58 studies that met the inclusion criteria (25 interrupted time-series studies and 33 controlled before-after studies). Most of the studies (54) assessed a single policy implemented in the United States (US) healthcare system: Medicare Part D. The other four assessed other drug insurance schemes from Canada and the US, but only one of them provided analysable data for inclusion in the quantitative synthesis. The introduction of drug insurance schemes may increase prescription drug use (low-certainty evidence). On the other hand, Medicare Part D may decrease drug expenditure measured as both out-of-pocket spending and total drug spending (low-certainty evidence). Regarding healthcare utilisation, drug insurance policies (such as Medicare Part D) may lead to a small increase in visits to the emergency department. However, it is uncertain whether this type of policy increases or decreases hospital admissions or outpatient visits by beneficiaries of the scheme because the certainty of the evidence was very low. Likewise, it is uncertain if the policy increases or reduces health outcomes such as mortality because the certainty of the evidence was very low. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The introduction of drug insurance schemes such as Medicare Part D in the US health system may increase prescription drug use and may decrease out-of-pocket payments by the beneficiaries of the scheme and total drug expenditures. It may also lead to a small increase in visits to the emergency department by the beneficiaries of the policy. Its effects on other healthcare utilisation outcomes and on health outcomes are uncertain because of the very low certainty of the evidence. The applicability of this evidence to settings outside US healthcare is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Pantoja
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Blanca Peñaloza
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camilo Cid
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian A Herrera
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Craig R Ramsay
- Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Jemma Hudson
- Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Jobert A, Istvan M, Laforgue EJ, Schreck B, Victorri-Vigneau C. Regulatory Framework Implementation for the Prescription of Zolpidem in France, What Impact in the Older People? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212099. [PMID: 34831853 PMCID: PMC8619144 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: Zolpidem is one of the most prescribed hypnotic drugs. In 2001, the World Health Organization alerted a risk of pharmacodependence associated with zolpidem. The French health authority decided in 2017 to enforce security on the prescription of zolpidem to reduce those risks. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of regulatory framework implementation, secure prescription pad, on the prevalence and incidence of prescriptions of zolpidem according to the age. Methods: This study was based on an observational study using the French healthcare data system. Two age categories were defined: “younger” and “older” (<65 years, ≥65 years); in order to study the evolution of prevalence and incidence of zolpidem use in our two groups, two periods were defined, before and after the implementation of the measure. Results: The prevalence decreased in the younger population by 51% (4012 vs. 7948 consumers), while that of the older population decreased by 42% (4151 vs. 7282). This difference in our two groups, with a greater decrease in the younger people, is statistically significant compared to the older people. Conclusion: Our study showed that regulatory framework implementation and mandatory secure prescription pad is more effective for decreasing prevalence of zolpidem prescription for younger people compared to older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Jobert
- Nantes Université, Univ. Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients-Centered Outcomes and HEalth Research, SPHERE, F-44000 Nantes, France; (M.I.); (E.-J.L.); (B.S.); (C.V.-V.)
- CHU Nantes, Research and Innovation Department, 5 allée de l’île gloriette, CEDEX, 44093 Nantes, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Marion Istvan
- Nantes Université, Univ. Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients-Centered Outcomes and HEalth Research, SPHERE, F-44000 Nantes, France; (M.I.); (E.-J.L.); (B.S.); (C.V.-V.)
- CHU Nantes, Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence, Clinical Pharmacology Department, CEDEX, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Edouard-Jules Laforgue
- Nantes Université, Univ. Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients-Centered Outcomes and HEalth Research, SPHERE, F-44000 Nantes, France; (M.I.); (E.-J.L.); (B.S.); (C.V.-V.)
- CHU Nantes, Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence, Clinical Pharmacology Department, CEDEX, 44093 Nantes, France
- CHU Nantes, Addictology and Liaison-Psychiatry Department, CEDEX, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Benoit Schreck
- Nantes Université, Univ. Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients-Centered Outcomes and HEalth Research, SPHERE, F-44000 Nantes, France; (M.I.); (E.-J.L.); (B.S.); (C.V.-V.)
- CHU Nantes, Addictology and Liaison-Psychiatry Department, CEDEX, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Caroline Victorri-Vigneau
- Nantes Université, Univ. Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients-Centered Outcomes and HEalth Research, SPHERE, F-44000 Nantes, France; (M.I.); (E.-J.L.); (B.S.); (C.V.-V.)
- CHU Nantes, Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence, Clinical Pharmacology Department, CEDEX, 44093 Nantes, France
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Orelio CC, Heus P, Kroese-van Dieren JJ, Spijker R, van Munster BC, Hooft L. Reducing Inappropriate Proton Pump Inhibitors Use for Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Hospitalized Patients: Systematic Review of De-Implementation Studies. J Gen Intern Med 2021; 36:2065-2073. [PMID: 33532958 PMCID: PMC8298652 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06425-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large proportion of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescriptions, including those for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP), are inappropriate. Our study purpose was to systematically review the effectiveness of de-implementation strategies aimed at reducing inappropriate PPI use for SUP in hospitalized, non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) patients. METHODS We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases (from inception to January 2020). Two authors independently screened references, performed data extraction, and critical appraisal. Randomized trials and comparative observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Criteria developed by the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) group were used for critical appraisal. Besides the primary outcome (inappropriate PPI prescription or use), secondary outcomes included (adverse) pharmaceutical effects and healthcare use. RESULTS We included ten studies in this review. Most de-implementation strategies contained an educational component (meetings and/or materials), combined with either clinical guideline implementation (n = 5), audit feedback (n = 3), organizational culture (n = 4), or reminders (n = 1). One study evaluating the de-implementation strategy effectiveness showed a significant reduction (RR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.55) of new inappropriate PPI prescriptions. Out of five studies evaluating the effectiveness of de-implementing inappropriate PPI use, four found a significant reduction (RR 0.21; 95% CI 0.18-0.26 to RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.68-0.86). No significant differences in the occurrence of pharmaceutical effects (n = 1) and in length of stay (n = 3) were observed. Adverse pharmaceutical effects were reported in two studies and five studies reported on PPI or total drug costs. No pooled effect estimates were calculated because of large statistical heterogeneity between studies. DISCUSSION All identified studies reported mainly educational interventions in combination with one or multiple other intervention strategies and all interventions were targeted at providers. Most studies found a small to moderate reduction of (inappropriate) PPI prescriptions or use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia C Orelio
- Cochrane Netherlands, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Research Support, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Pauline Heus
- Cochrane Netherlands, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith J Kroese-van Dieren
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René Spijker
- Cochrane Netherlands, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara C van Munster
- University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Geriatric Medicine, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lotty Hooft
- Cochrane Netherlands, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Perehudoff K, Demchenko I, Alexandrov NV, Brutsaert D, Ackon A, Durán CE, El-Dahiyat F, Hafidz F, Haque R, Hussain R, Salenga R, Suleman F, Babar ZUD. Essential Medicines in Universal Health Coverage: A Scoping Review of Public Health Law Interventions and How They Are Measured in Five Middle-Income Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E9524. [PMID: 33353250 PMCID: PMC7765934 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Very few studies exist of legal interventions (national laws) for essential medicines as part of universal health coverage in middle-income countries, or how the effect of these laws is measured. This study aims to critically assess whether laws related to universal health coverage use five objectives of public health law to promote medicines affordability and financing, and to understand how access to medicines achieved through these laws is measured. This comparative case study of five middle-income countries (Ecuador, Ghana, Philippines, South Africa, Ukraine) uses a public health law framework to guide the content analysis of national laws and the scoping review of empirical evidence for measuring access to medicines. Sixty laws were included. All countries write into national law: (a) health equity objectives, (b) remedies for users/patients and sanctions for some stakeholders, (c) economic policies and regulatory objectives for financing (except South Africa), pricing, and benefits selection (except South Africa), (d) information dissemination objectives (ex. for medicines prices (except Ghana)), and (e) public health infrastructure. The 17 studies included in the scoping review evaluate laws with economic policy and regulatory objectives (n = 14 articles), health equity (n = 10), information dissemination (n = 3), infrastructure (n = 2), and sanctions (n = 1) (not mutually exclusive). Cross-sectional descriptive designs (n = 8 articles) and time series analyses (n = 5) were the most frequent designs. Change in patients' spending on medicines was the most frequent outcome measure (n = 5). Although legal interventions for pharmaceuticals in middle-income countries commonly use all objectives of public health law, the intended and unintended effects of economic policies and regulation are most frequently investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Perehudoff
- Law Center for Health and Life, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium;
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Governance, Accountability, and Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Sector, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Ivan Demchenko
- Forensic Medicine and Medical Law Department, National Medical University ‘O.O. Bogomolec’, 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine;
| | - Nikita V. Alexandrov
- Global Health Law Groningen Research Centre, Department of Transboundary Legal Studies, Faculty of Law, University of Groningen, 9700 AS Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - David Brutsaert
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium;
| | - Angela Ackon
- Directorate of Pharmacy, Ministry of Health, P. O. Box M 44 Accra, Ghana;
| | - Carlos E. Durán
- Clinical Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Basic & Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | | | - Firdaus Hafidz
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia;
| | - Rezwan Haque
- Access to Information (a2i) Programme (Former Project Director, SWASTI), Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh;
- Department of Pharmacy (Adjunct), Ranada Prasad Shaha University, Narayanganj 1400, Bangladesh
| | - Rabia Hussain
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54590, Pakistan;
- Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, London E1W 1AW, UK
| | - Roderick Salenga
- College of Pharmacy, University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila 1000, Philippines;
| | - Fatima Suleman
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa;
| | - Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK;
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