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Hatem G, Ankouni A, Salhab S, Kteich W, Awada S. Generic drugs use during the COVID-19 pandemic among Lebanese patients using psychotropics: An opportunity for generic drug promotion. JOURNAL OF GENERIC MEDICINES 2023; 19:92-100. [PMID: 38603350 PMCID: PMC9996156 DOI: 10.1177/17411343231162561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed several challenges leading to the shortage of medications due to the disruption of their supply chains. Among others, patients using psychotropics encountered difficulties finding their medication despite the efforts of investing in local production. Encouraging patients to use generic drugs can be an effective strategy to ensure sustainable access to medication. Objectives This study aimed to describe the consumption of psychotropic medications during the COVID-19 pandemic and the willingness together with the reasons for using generic drugs. It also assessed the association between generic drugs and the general characteristics of the patients. Design A cross-sectional study was performed over a period of 4 months (July-October 2021) targeting 128 patients using psychotropic drugs. Results The sample included more women than men with a mean age of 38 years. Antidepressants were the psychotropic medications mostly consumed followed by anti-anxiety medications. Almost 13% of the patients started using psychotropics either through self-prescription or a friend's advice and 73.4% used generic drugs. Fear of dependence, unavailability of the brand drug, and pharmacist's recommendation were the main reported reasons for using generic drugs. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, the consumption of psychotropics increased due to new prescriptions and self-medication. No differences were noted between using generics and the characteristics of the patients in contrast to previous studies which support the implementation of generic prescription and substitution policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Hatem
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ali Ankouni
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Sethrida Salhab
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon
| | - Walaa Kteich
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Sanaa Awada
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
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Rainio R, Ahonen R, Lämsä E, Timonen J. Factors facilitating and hindering counselling about generic substitution and a reference price system in community pharmacies - a survey among Finnish dispensers. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1130. [PMID: 36071413 PMCID: PMC9454142 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08477-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pharmacies play the key role in implementing generic substitution (GS) and counselling customers about it. This study aimed to explore dispensers’ perceptions of the factors that facilitate or hinder counselling customers on GS and the reference price system (RPS) in community pharmacies. It also studied dispensers’ opinions about the benefits and problems of these systems and discusses them from the counselling point of view. Methods A postal survey was conducted among Finnish community pharmacy dispensers in spring 2018. The research questions were studied through open-ended questions and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The questions were analyzed first with inductive content analysis by two researchers independently. The responses were encoded and categorized according to the analytical framework, which was inductively developed alongside the analysis. The categorized responses were further analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Results The response rate was 50.8% (n = 498). Of the respondents, 75.9% reported factors that facilitated counselling about GS and RPS. The most commonly mentioned factors included customers’ characteristics (36.5%), the information systems used in the pharmacy (28.3%), and the features of interchangeable medicines (21.7%). Of the respondents, 89.0% reported factors that hindered counselling, of which customers’ characteristics (45.8%), the unavailability of medicines and other availability issues (32.5%), the features of interchangeable medicines (22.6%) and time pressure in the pharmacy (22.1%) were the most commonly reported. The benefits of the systems focused on cost savings for customers and society (74.4%). The most commonly reported problems concerned medicine availability (31.9%), changes in medicine prices and in reference price band (28.9%), as well as how GS is time-consuming and increases workload (24.2%). Conclusions Finnish dispensers reported more hindering than facilitating factors in GS and RPS counselling. Customers’ characteristics were the most often mentioned in both cases. Customers’ knowledge could be increased by providing information and education. However, developing simpler regulations for GS and RPS, intelligent assisting software, and solutions for secured medicine availability would facilitate implementation of GS. Simplified price counselling would also guarantee the time needed and focus on instructions on the correct and safe use of medicines. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08477-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riikka Rainio
- School of Pharmacy, Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Riitta Ahonen
- School of Pharmacy, Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Elina Lämsä
- School of Pharmacy, Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johanna Timonen
- School of Pharmacy, Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
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Prescribing Behavior of General Practitioners for Generic Drugs. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165919. [PMID: 32824051 PMCID: PMC7460010 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The factors influencing General Practitioners’ (GPs) prescribing behavior are diverse in terms of health care policies and regulations, GPs’ education and experience, demographic trends and disease profiles. Thus, it can be useful to analyze the specific local patterns, as they affect the quality of healthcare and the stability of the healthcare market. The aim of the present longitudinal retrospective study is to investigate the prescription of generic drugs in a database of about 4.6 million prescriptions from a sample of 38 GPs practicing in Salerno, Italy, within a timeframe of 15 years, from 2001 to 2015. The GPs in our study show a general tendency to increase prescriptions of generic drugs during the studied time span, to fulfill regulatory obligations and with some differences in prescription behavior according to age, gender and experience. The generics prescription depends also on the different diagnoses, with some diagnostic areas showing a greater generic drug prescription rate. Expanding this research to larger datasets would allow deepening the knowledge of the patterns of GPs’ prescribing decisions, to provide evidence to be used in comparison between different national settings.
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Bladen JC, Favor M, Litwin A, Malhotra R. Switchover study of onabotulinumtoxinA to incobotulinumtoxinA for facial dystonia. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 48:1146-1151. [PMID: 32710447 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13829] [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] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE When making a cost-saving it is important to ensure there is no loss of efficacy. BACKGROUND Clinical effectiveness and efficiency of incobotulinumtoxinA compared to onabotulinumtoxinA in facial dystonia is unclear. Our aim is to evaluate switching from onabotulinumtoxinA to incobotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of essential blepharospasm (EB), hemifacial spasm (HFS) and aberrant facial nerve regeneration (AFR). DESIGN A retrospective study of a prospective, single-masked switchover audit from onabotulinumtoxinA to incobotulinumtoxinA. PARTICIPANTS Twenty essential EB, 12 HFS and six AFR patients. METHODS A switchover from stable onabotulinumtoxinA to incobotulinumtoxinA using a 1:1 unit ratio and contemporaneous efficacy measures. Two nurse injectors performed the injections over a period of 6 years. Each masked patient received three onabotulinumtoxinA and three incobotulinumtoxinA over a minimum of 2 years. MAIN OUTCOME METHODS At each visit, a blepharospasm disability score (BDS), Jankovic score (JS), subjective improvement (SI), duration of maximum effect (DME) and complications were recorded. A cost comparison per unit dose was made. RESULTS Twenty EB, 12 HFS and six AFR received 114 onabotulinumtoxinA and 114 incobotulinumtoxinA treatments. Both brands had similar efficacy, but SI (P < .01) and DME (P < .05) were higher in the HFS group with incobotulinumtoxinA. Complications included bruising (two onabotulinumtoxinA, one incobotulinumtoxinA) and ptosis (three onabotulinumtoxinA, zero incobotulinumtoxinA). OnabotulinumtoxinA was 33% pricier. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Switching from onabotulinumtoxinA to incobotulinumtoxinA did not result in an inferior outcome for the treatment of facial dystonia and led to a cost-saving for the department.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Bladen
- Corneoplastic Department, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK
| | - Maribel Favor
- Corneoplastic Department, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK
| | - Andre Litwin
- Corneoplastic Department, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK
| | - Raman Malhotra
- Corneoplastic Department, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK
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Nokelainen H, Lämsä E, Ahonen R, Timonen J. Reasons for allowing and refusing generic substitution and factors determining the choice of an interchangeable prescription medicine: a survey among pharmacy customers in Finland. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:82. [PMID: 32013951 PMCID: PMC6998302 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-4894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Generic substitution (GS) was introduced in Finland in 2003 and supplemented with a reference price system (RPS) in 2009. Patients play a vital role in the acceptance of GS and the use of less expensive generic medicines. The objective of this study was to explore Finnish pharmacy customers’ experience with allowing and refusing GS. Specific aims were to investigate the reasons for (1) allowing and (2) refusing GS and (3) to determine the prescription medicine-related factors influencing the customer’s choice of an interchangeable prescription medicine. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted in February 2018. Questionnaires were handed out from 18 community pharmacies across Finland to customers ≥18 years who purchased for themselves a prescription medicine included in the RPS. A descriptive approach was used in the analysis using frequencies, the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Results The final study material consisted of 1043 questionnaires (response rate 40.0%). Of the customers, 47.9% had both allowed and refused GS, 41.2% had only allowed GS and 6.0% had only refused GS. Customers had allowed GS because they wanted to lower their medicine expenses (75.5%), or because the prescribed medicine (30.8%) or medicine they had used before (27.4%) was unavailable at the pharmacy. The main reasons for refusing GS were an insignificant price difference between interchangeable medicines (63.3%) and satisfaction with the medicine used before (60.2%). The main factors influencing customers’ choice of an interchangeable prescription medicine were price (81.1%), familiarity (38.4%) and availability (32.8%). Customers who had allowed GS chose the medicine based on price. Customers who had only refused GS appreciated familiarity more than the price of the medicine. Conclusions GS is a common practice in Finnish community pharmacies. The price of the medicine was the most important factor affecting customers’ decision to allow or refuse GS and the choice of an interchangeable prescription medicine. Thus, customers should receive information about medicine prices at the pharmacy in order to help them make their decision. However, individual needs should also be taken into account in counselling because customers regard several factors as important in their choice of an interchangeable medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriikka Nokelainen
- School of Pharmacy / Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Elina Lämsä
- School of Pharmacy / Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Riitta Ahonen
- School of Pharmacy / Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johanna Timonen
- School of Pharmacy / Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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Blier P, Margolese HC, Wilson EA, Boucher M. Switching medication products during the treatment of psychiatric illness. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2019; 23:2-13. [PMID: 30732488 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2018.1508724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The common practice of switching between branded (reference) medications and their corresponding generic products, between generic products, or even from a generic product to a branded medication during the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders may compromise efficacy and/or tolerability. METHODS We assessed the published literature from March 1, 2010 through June 30, 2017 via PubMed using the MeSH term 'generics, drugs' alone and in combination with class-specific terms (e.g., 'anticonvulsants', 'mood stabilisers'), for studies detailing outcomes following product switches. RESULTS Although some studies comparing the initiation of reference versus generic drugs suggest equivalence between products, several studies detailing a switch between reference and generic products describe reductions in efficacy, reduced medication adherence and persistence, and increased overall health care resource utilization and costs associated with generic substitution. CONCLUSION When product switches are considered, they should only proceed with the full knowledge of both patient and provider.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Blier
- a University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research , Ottawa , ON , Canada
| | | | | | - Matthieu Boucher
- d Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics , McGill University, McIntyre Medical Science Building , Montréal , QC , Canada.,e Medical Affairs, Pfizer Canada Inc , Kirkland , QC , Canada
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Kobayashi E, Abe C, Satoh N. Patients’ perspectives on generic substitution among statin users in Japan. J Public Health (Oxf) 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-018-0918-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Olsson E, Svensberg K, Wallach-Kildemoes H, Carlsson E, Hällkvist C, Kaae S, Sporrong SK. Swedish patients' trust in the bioequivalence of interchangeable generics. What factors are important for low trust? Pharm Pract (Granada) 2018; 16:1298. [PMID: 30637031 PMCID: PMC6322990 DOI: 10.18549/pharmpract.2018.04.1298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Generic substitution (GS), is a cost-containment strategy meant to contain
pharmaceutical expenditure without compromising health objectives. In order
to shape GS into a policy that is both efficient and safe it is crucial to
understand which factors are most important for patients’ trust in
GS. Objective: To assess Swedish patients’ level of trust in the bioequivalence of
cheap and expensive generic medicines, and the association between trust and
various factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Questionnaires were handed out at 12
community pharmacies in Sweden, selected through stratified sampling,
between March and April 2015. The questionnaire included seven
socio-demographic questions in addition to 18 items divided into three
sections: the ‘views on generic medicine’-scale, information
on and prior experiences of GS, financial aspects and change of color/name.
Odds Ratios (ORs) were estimated applying adjusted logistic regression
analyses with trust in the bioequivalence of generic medicines used as
outcome variable and various factors as predictors. Results: A total of 719 patients participated (response rate 85.7%). The
results show that 70.7% of the respondents’ trust that cheap
and expensive interchangeable generic medicines are equal. Of the
respondents 36.0% considered the change in appearance and
40.8% the change in names to complicate adherence. Lower trust in the
bioequivalence of generic medicines were associated with being female
(aOR=1.82, 95%CI 1.20:2.75, p<0.01), patients perceiving that
changes in product name and appearance make adherence more complicated
(aOR=2.18, 95%CI 1.48:3.19, p<0.001), disagreeing in that GS
saves money for me (the customer) (aOR=2.68, 95%CI 1.58:4.55,
p<0.001) or that GS saves money for society (aOR=3.21, 95%CI
1.46:7.08, p<0.01). Conclusions: Seven out of ten respondents had trust in the bioequivalence of generic
medicines, and one in three considered GS to complicate adherence. Four
factors were associated with lower trust in GS, i.e. female gender, agreeing
that changes in product name and appearance complicates adherence,
disagreeing in that GS saves money for me or disagreeing in that GS saves
money for the society. Low trust in GS needs to be addressed, not least in
the communication between health professionals and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Olsson
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen. Copenhagen (Denmark).
| | - Karin Svensberg
- Department of Pharmacy, PharmaSafe Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo (Norway).
| | - Helle Wallach-Kildemoes
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen. Copenhagen (Denmark).
| | - Emma Carlsson
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University. Uppsala (Sweden).
| | - Caroline Hällkvist
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University. Uppsala (Sweden).
| | - Susanne Kaae
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen. Copenhagen (Denmark).
| | - Sofia Kälvemark Sporrong
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen. Copenhagen (Denmark).
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Beauvais V, Marque A, Ferté G, Chrusciel J, Souille J, Nazeyrollas P, Sanchez S. Factors influencing the use of the "not for generic substitution" mention for prescriptions in primary care: a survey with general practitioners. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:850. [PMID: 30419890 PMCID: PMC6233580 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generic drug substitution is a public health policy challenge with high economic potential. Generic drugs are generally cheaper than brand-name drugs. Drugs are a significant part of the total health expenditure, especially in ambulatory care. We conducted a cross-sectional study with general practitioners in the Champagne-Ardenne region to determine physician-related factors and beliefs causing doctors to use the Not for Generic Substitution (NGS) mention. METHODS Questionnaires were sent to General Practitioners (GPs) practicing in Champagne-Ardenne via 3 shipments, from January 2015 to May 2015. Prescriber characteristics and beliefs influencing the use of the NGS mention were assessed for frequent (≥ 5%) and less frequent (< 5%) users of the NGS mention. RESULTS Factors associated with above average NGS mention use in bivariate analysis included patient comorbidity, polypharmacy, a concern that generic and brand-name drugs are not bioequivalent and belief in higher efficacy of the brand name drug. The use of an e-prescribing system (EPS) and medical practice in rural areas appeared to be associated with lower use of NGS mention in bivariate analysis but not in multivariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, patient request was associated with a higher use of the NGS mention (NGS ≥ 5%, adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.52; 95% CI = [1.46-4.35]; p = 0.001), which was also linked to patient age over 65 (NGS ≥ 5%, aOR = 2.33; 95% CI = [1.03-5.30]; p = 0.04). The NGS mention was often used for drugs where substitution is debated in the literature (thyroid hormones, antiepileptic drugs). CONCLUSION This work highlights the involvement of the doctor-patient pair for the use of the NGS mention. Patient request was the major reason for using the NGS mention, even though it was not always endorsed by prescribers. Further studies are needed to assess patient views on generic drugs and drug substitution, accounting for their health status and socio-economic condition, to help improve the relevance of the information available to them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annabelle Marque
- Emergency Department, Centre Hospitalier de Troyes, 10000, Troyes, France
| | | | - Jan Chrusciel
- Medical Information Department, Centre Hospitalier de Troyes, 10000, Troyes, France
| | - Julie Souille
- Emergency Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Pierre Nazeyrollas
- Cardiology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Stéphane Sanchez
- Medical Information Department, Centre Hospitalier de Troyes, 10000, Troyes, France. .,, Troyes, France.
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van der Gronde T, Uyl-de Groot CA, Pieters T. Addressing the challenge of high-priced prescription drugs in the era of precision medicine: A systematic review of drug life cycles, therapeutic drug markets and regulatory frameworks. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182613. [PMID: 28813502 PMCID: PMC5559086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Recent public outcry has highlighted the rising cost of prescription drugs worldwide, which in several disease areas outpaces other health care expenditures and results in a suboptimal global availability of essential medicines. METHOD A systematic review of Pubmed, the Financial Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Guardian was performed to identify articles related to the pricing of medicines. FINDINGS Changes in drug life cycles have dramatically affected patent medicine markets, which have long been considered a self-evident and self-sustainable source of income for highly profitable drug companies. Market failure in combination with high merger and acquisition activity in the sector have allowed price increases for even off-patent drugs. With market interventions and the introduction of QALY measures in health care, governments have tried to influence drug prices, but often encounter unintended consequences. Patent reform legislation, reference pricing, outcome-based pricing and incentivizing physicians and pharmacists to prescribe low-cost drugs are among the most promising short-term policy options. Due to the lack of systematic research on the effectiveness of policy measures, an increasing number of ad hoc decisions have been made with counterproductive effects on the availability of essential drugs. Future challenges demand new policies, for which recommendations are offered. CONCLUSION A fertile ground for high-priced drugs has been created by changes in drug life-cycle dynamics, the unintended effects of patent legislation, government policy measures and orphan drug programs. There is an urgent need for regulatory reform to curtail prices and safeguard equitable access to innovative medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toon van der Gronde
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carin A. Uyl-de Groot
- Institute for Medical Technology Assessment, Department of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Toine Pieters
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Guttier MC, Silveira MPT, Luiza VL, Bertoldi AD. Percepção, conhecimento e uso de medicamentos genéricos no Sul do Brasil: o que mudou entre 2002 e 2012? CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2016; 32:S0102-311X2016000705014. [DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00070215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo: Este estudo compara a percepção, conhecimento e uso de medicamentos genéricos em adultos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, por meio de dois estudos transversais de base populacional realizados em 2002 e 2012. Os desfechos estudados foram: (a) prevalência de utilização de medicamentos genéricos; (b) proporção de uso de medicamentos genéricos entre os demais medicamentos; (c) percepção dos usuários sobre preço e qualidade dos medicamentos genéricos; (d) conhecimento dos usuários sobre medicamentos genéricos; e (e) estratégias de aquisição de medicamentos. A prevalência de uso de medicamentos genéricos aumentou de 3,6% (IC95%: 3,0-4,3) para 26,1% (IC95%: 24,5-27,7) no período de dez anos. A percepção sobre preço e qualidade dos medicamentos genéricos se manteve estável, a identificação das características que diferenciam os medicamentos genéricos dos demais medicamentos melhorou (p < 0,001) e o erro de classificação de medicamento diminuiu (p < 0,001). Houve um aumento significativo na estratégia de aquisição de medicamentos pela substituição do medicamento prescrito pelo medicamento genérico. Entre 2002 e 2012, aumentou o conhecimento e uso de medicamentos genéricos, enquanto a percepção quanto ao menor preço e qualidade equivalente mantiveram-se elevadas.
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