1
|
Abdullah S, Saleem Z, Godman B. Coping with increasing medicine costs through greater adoption of generic prescribing and dispensing in Pakistan as an exemplar country. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2024; 24:167-170. [PMID: 37936327 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2023.2280802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saad Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Butt MD, Ong SC, Wahab MU, Rasool MF, Saleem F, Hashmi A, Sajjad A, Chaudhry FA, Babar ZUD. Cost of Illness Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Findings from a Lower-Middle Income Country. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191912611. [PMID: 36231911 PMCID: PMC9566593 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes is a major chronic illness that negatively influences individuals and society. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze and evaluate the cost associated with diabetes management, specific to the Pakistani Type 2 diabetes population. Research scheme and methods: A survey randomly collected information and data from diabetes patients throughout Pakistan out-patient clinics. Direct and indirect costs were evaluated, and data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS An overall of 1839 diabetes patients participated in the study. The results have shown that direct and indirect costs are positively associated with the participants' socio-demographic characteristics, except for household income and educational status. The annual total cost of diabetes care was USD 740.1, amongst which the share of the direct cost was USD 646.7, and the indirect cost was USD 93.65. Most direct costs comprised medicine (USD 274.5) and hospitalization (USD 319.7). In contrast, the productivity loss of the patients had the highest contribution to the indirect cost (USD 81.36). CONCLUSION This study showed that direct costs significantly contributed to diabetes's overall cost in Pakistan and overall diabetes management estimated to be 1.67% (USD 24.42 billion) of the country's total gross domestic product. The expense of medications and hospitalization mostly drove the direct cost. Additionally, patients' loss of productivity contributed significantly to the indirect cost. It is high time for healthcare policymakers to address this huge healthcare burden. It is time to develop a thorough diabetes management plan to be implemented nationwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Daoud Butt
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - Siew Chin Ong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Umar Wahab
- Consultant Diabetologist, Umar Diabetes and Foot Care Centre, Umar Diabetes Foundation, Office 1, Executive Complex, G8 Markaz, Islamabad 46000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Fawad Rasool
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Fahad Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, University of Baluchistan, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Hashmi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Ahsan Sajjad
- Consultant Diabetologist, Umar Diabetes and Foot Care Centre, Umar Diabetes Foundation, Office 1, Executive Complex, G8 Markaz, Islamabad 46000, Pakistan
- Ibn Sina Community Clinic South Wilcrest Drive, Houston, TX 77099, USA
| | | | - Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saeed A, Lambojon K, Saeed H, Saleem Z, Anwer N, Aziz MM, Ji W, Liu W, Chen C, Yang C, Fang Y, Babar ZUD. Access to Insulin Products in Pakistan: A National Scale Cross-Sectional Survey on Prices, Availability, and Affordability. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:820621. [PMID: 35431962 PMCID: PMC9010947 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.820621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Diabetes is among the top ten most prevalent diseases in Pakistan, and the availability of medicines to treat the disease is vital for a great percentage of the country’s population. Insulin was discovered a century ago; however, its access in several parts of the globe remains an issue. This study aims to evaluate prices, availability, and affordability (access components) of insulin and five comparator medicine access in Pakistan. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the access to insulin and some comparator medicines in eight cities of Pakistan, using a modified WHO/HAI methodology. The survey included 80 medicine outlets, i.e., 40 private pharmacies and 40 public hospitals. Data for every unique insulin product available in the Pakistani market were obtained, including five comparator medicines. Percentage availability, median unit prices (MUPs), and affordability (the number of days’ wages (NDWs) required for a month’s course by the lowest-paid unskilled government worker) of all products were calculated, including originator brands (OBs) and biosimilar (BS) products. Results: Of all insulin products surveyed (n = 320), 87.5% were manufactured by foreign multinational companies (MNCs). None of the insulin products had an ideal availability of 80% in any of the surveyed health facilities. In the public sector, none of the insulin products had an availability of more than 50%. In the public sector, the overall availability of human insulin was 70% (including OB and BS). While in the private sector, the overall availability of human insulin was 90% and that of analog insulin was 62.5%. The analog insulin products were 72.8% costlier than the human insulin products. The median prices of BS insulin were 25.4% lower than the OB products, indicating that almost one-fourth of the cost could be saved by switching to BS human insulin from OB human insulin. All oral anti-diabetic medicines were found to be affordable, whereas none of the insulin was affordable. The NDWs for human and analog insulin were 1.38 and 5.06. Conclusion: In Pakistan, the insulin availability falls short of the WHO’s benchmark of 80%. Insulin continues to be unaffordable in both private and government sectors. To increase insulin access, the government should optimize insulin procurement at all levels, promote local production, enforce biosimilar prescribing, and provide financial subsidies for these products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Krizzia Lambojon
- 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
| | - Hamid Saeed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zikria Saleem
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Anwer
- Saulat Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Quaid e Azam University Islamabad, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Majid Aziz
- 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
| | - Wenjing Ji
- 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
| | - Wenchen Liu
- 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
| | - Chen Chen
- 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
- *Correspondence: Yu Fang,
| | - Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Babar ZUD. Forming a medicines pricing policy for low and middle-income countries (LMICs): the case for Pakistan. J Pharm Policy Pract 2022; 15:9. [PMID: 35209945 PMCID: PMC8867617 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-022-00413-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Equitable access to medicines has played a vital role to improve patient health outcomes and reducing mortality globally. However, it is important to note that medicines pricing is a key determinant in promoting access to medicines. The studies and empirical data have shown that there are wide variations in prices across countries for the same brand of medicines. World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided guidelines to formulate country pharmaceutical pricing policies. However, little is known how these guidelines will be used in the country-specific setting. This commentary provides guiding principles and outlines the basis to form a medicines pricing policy in a low and middle-income country, Pakistan. It discusses the current medicines pricing policy and provides suggestions for future work. The suggested medicines pricing structure and lessons learned in this commentary can also be applied in other low-resource settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Omer S, Pan M, Ali S, Shukar S, Fang Y, Yang C. Perceptions of pharmacists towards drug shortages in the healthcare system of Pakistan and its impact on patient care: findings from a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e050196. [PMID: 34949612 PMCID: PMC8713015 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore pharmacists' perceptions on drug shortages and its impingement on the Pakistani healthcare system, in particular on patient care. DESIGN Online questionnaire survey. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Hospital pharmacists from five out of seven regions of Pakistan were approached; including the federal territory (Islamabad) and four provinces (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence and type of shortages were identified along with strategies to reduce its effect on patient care. METHOD A validated questionnaire was distributed through various online platforms to 800 registered hospital pharmacists. A convenience sampling technique was used to obtain information on drug shortages, the reporting system for shortages, the impact on patients and policy solutions for managing drug shortages. RESULTS Out of 800 hospital pharmacists, 708 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 88.5%). Of these hospital pharmacists, 47% came from hospitals of Punjab, 26% from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 13% from Sindh, 11% from Balochistan and 4% from Islamabad; 72% and 28% worked in tertiary and secondary hospitals, respectively. The majority (32%) interacted with shortages daily. The top three drug categories reported in shortage were oncology drugs (54%), cardiovascular drugs (53%) and antimicrobials (42%). 58% of the respondents have seen care delayed as a negative consequence of shortages. 'Creating new communication system' (65%) and 'readjust budget plans' (41%) were the two most frequently indicated recommendations for shortages management at hospital, while 'circulars or alerts from the regulatory authority' (60%) and 'time to time directives from local health statuaries' (48%) were two most widely suggested policy solutions. CONCLUSION Drug shortage is a serious concern in Pakistani hospitals, experienced on a daily basis endangering patients' health. Enhanced communication is required, connecting the key stakeholders. Health policies should be reviewed; adequate funds should be allocated to the health sector preventing future shortages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumaira Omer
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengyuan Pan
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Salamat Ali
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i- Azam University, Islamabad, Islamabad, Capital, Pakistan
| | - Sundus Shukar
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Caijun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Godman B, Haque M, Kumar S, Islam S, Charan J, Akter F, Kurdi A, Allocati E, Bakar MA, Rahim SA, Sultana N, Deeba F, Halim Khan MA, Alam ABMM, Jahan I, Kamal ZM, Hasin H, Nahar S, Haque M, Dutta S, Abhayanand JP, Kaur RJ, Acharya J, Sugahara T, Kwon HY, Bae S, Khuan KKP, Khan TA, Hussain S, Saleem Z, Pisana A, Wale J, Jakovljevic M. Current utilization patterns for long-acting insulin analogues including biosimilars among selected Asian countries and the implications for the future. Curr Med Res Opin 2021; 37:1529-1545. [PMID: 34166174 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2021.1946024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prevalence rates for diabetes mellitus continue to rise, which, coupled with increasing costs of complications, has appreciably increased expenditure in recent years. Poor glycaemic control including hypoglycaemia enhances complication rates and associated morbidity, mortality and costs. Consequently, this needs to be addressed. Whilst the majority of patients with diabetes have type-2 diabetes, a considerable number of patients with diabetes require insulin to help control their diabetes. Long-acting insulin analogues were developed to reduce hypoglycaemia associated with insulin and help improve adherence, which can be a concern. However, their considerably higher costs have impacted on their funding and use, especially in countries with affordability issues. Biosimilars can help reduce the costs of long-acting insulin analogues thereby increasing available choices. However, the availability and use of long-acting insulin analogues can be affected by limited price reductions versus originators and limited demand-side initiatives to encourage their use. Consequently, we wanted to assess current utilisation rates for long-acting insulin analogues, especially biosimilars, and the rationale for patterns seen, across multiple Asian countries ranging from Japan (high-income) to Pakistan (lower-income) to inform future strategies. METHODOLOGY Multiple approaches including assessing utilization and prices of insulins including biosimilars among six Asian countries and comparing the findings especially with other middle-income countries. RESULTS Typically, there was increasing use of long-acting insulin analogues among the selected Asian countries. This was especially the case enhanced by biosimilars in Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia reflecting their perceived benefits. However, there was limited use in Pakistan due to issues of affordability similar to a number of African countries. The high use of biosimilars in Bangladesh, India and Malaysia was helped by issues of affordability and local production. The limited use of biosimilars in Japan and Korea reflects limited price reductions and demand-side initiatives similar to a number of European countries. CONCLUSIONS Increasing use of long-acting insulin analogues across countries is welcomed, adding to the range of insulins available, which increasingly includes biosimilars. A number of activities are needed to enhance the use of long-acting insulin analogue biosimilars in Japan, Korea and Pakistan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- 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
| | - Mainul Haque
- Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Unit of Pharmacology, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Salequl Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jaykaran Charan
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Farhana Akter
- Department of Endocrinology, Chittagong Medical College, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- 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
| | - Eleonora Allocati
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri' IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Muhammed Abu Bakar
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College, Agrabad, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | | | - Nusrat Sultana
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Farzana Deeba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - M A Halim Khan
- Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Iffat Jahan
- Department of Physiology, Eastern Medical College, Cumilla, Bangladesh
| | | | - Humaira Hasin
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Carshalton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Shamsun Nahar
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Monami Haque
- Human Resource Department, Square Toiletries Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Siddhartha Dutta
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Jha Pallavi Abhayanand
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rimple Jeet Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Jitendra Acharya
- Department of Dentistry, SP Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | | | - Hye-Young Kwon
- Division of Biology and Public Health, Mokwon University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - SeungJin Bae
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | | | - Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Alice Pisana
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Janney Wale
- Independent Consumer Advocate, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mihajlo Jakovljevic
- Faculty of Economics, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Global Health Economics and Policy, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Godman B, Haque M, Leong T, Allocati E, Kumar S, Islam S, Charan J, Akter F, Kurdi A, Vassalo C, Bakar MA, Rahim SA, Sultana N, Deeba F, Khan MAH, Alam ABMM, Jahan I, Kamal ZM, Hasin H, Munzur-E-Murshid, Nahar S, Haque M, Dutta S, Abhayanand JP, Kaur RJ, Rwegerera GM, do Nascimento RCRM, Dias Godói IP, Irfan M, Amu AA, Matowa P, Acolatse J, Incoom R, Sefah IA, Acharya J, Opanga S, Njeri LW, Kimonge D, Kwon HY, Bae S, Khuan KKP, Abubakar AR, Sani IH, Khan TA, Hussain S, Saleem Z, Malande OO, Piloya-Were T, Gambogi R, Hernandez Ortiz C, Alutuli L, Kalungia AC, Hoxha I, Marković-Peković V, Tubic B, Petrova G, Tachkov K, Laius O, Harsanyi A, Inotai A, Jakupi A, Henkuzens S, Garuoliene K, Gulbinovič J, Wladysiuk M, Rutkowski J, Mardare I, Fürst J, McTaggart S, MacBride-Stewart S, Pontes C, Zara C, Tagoe ET, Banzi R, Wale J, Jakovljevic M. The Current Situation Regarding Long-Acting Insulin Analogues Including Biosimilars Among African, Asian, European, and South American Countries; Findings and Implications for the Future. Front Public Health 2021; 9:671961. [PMID: 34249838 PMCID: PMC8264781 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.671961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus rates continue to rise, which coupled with increasing costs of associated complications has appreciably increased global expenditure in recent years. The risk of complications are enhanced by poor glycaemic control including hypoglycaemia. Long-acting insulin analogues were developed to reduce hypoglycaemia and improve adherence. Their considerably higher costs though have impacted their funding and use. Biosimilars can help reduce medicine costs. However, their introduction has been affected by a number of factors. These include the originator company dropping its price as well as promoting patented higher strength 300 IU/ml insulin glargine. There can also be concerns with different devices between the manufacturers. Objective: To assess current utilisation rates for insulins, especially long-acting insulin analogues, and the rationale for patterns seen, across multiple countries to inform strategies to enhance future utilisation of long-acting insulin analogue biosimilars to benefit all key stakeholders. Our approach: Multiple approaches including assessing the utilisation, expenditure and prices of insulins, including biosimilar insulin glargine, across multiple continents and countries. Results: There was considerable variation in the use of long-acting insulin analogues as a percentage of all insulins prescribed and dispensed across countries and continents. This ranged from limited use of long-acting insulin analogues among African countries compared to routine funding and use across Europe in view of their perceived benefits. Increasing use was also seen among Asian countries including Bangladesh and India for similar reasons. However, concerns with costs and value limited their use across Africa, Brazil and Pakistan. There was though limited use of biosimilar insulin glargine 100 IU/ml compared with other recent biosimilars especially among European countries and Korea. This was principally driven by small price differences in reality between the originator and biosimilars coupled with increasing use of the patented 300 IU/ml formulation. A number of activities were identified to enhance future biosimilar use. These included only reimbursing biosimilar long-acting insulin analogues, introducing prescribing targets and increasing competition among manufacturers including stimulating local production. Conclusions: There are concerns with the availability and use of insulin glargine biosimilars despite lower costs. This can be addressed by multiple activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- 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, George Town, Malaysia
| | - Mainul Haque
- Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Trudy Leong
- Essential Drugs Programme, South African National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Eleonora Allocati
- Center for Health Regulatory Policies, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri” IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Salequl Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jaykaran Charan
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Farhana Akter
- Department of Endocrinology, Chittagong Medical College, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- 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
| | - Carlos Vassalo
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Muhammed Abu Bakar
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Sagir Abdur Rahim
- Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nusrat Sultana
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Farzana Deeba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Iffat Jahan
- Department of Physiology, Eastern Medical College, Cumilla, Bangladesh
| | | | - Humaira Hasin
- Clinical Fellow, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Munzur-E-Murshid
- Women's Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) 2 Access Choice Together Innovate Ownership Now (ACTION) Project, Handicap International, Kurigram, Bangladesh
| | - Shamsun Nahar
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Monami Haque
- Human Resource Department, Square Toiletries Limited, Rupayan Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Siddhartha Dutta
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | | | - Rimple Jeet Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Godfrey Mutashambara Rwegerera
- Department of Medicine, Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Isabella Piassi Dias Godói
- Institute of Health and Biological Studies, Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Cidade Universitária, Marabá, Brazil
- Group (CNPq) for Epidemiological, Economic and Pharmacological Studies of Arboviruses (EEPIFARBO), Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Marabá, Brazil
| | - Mohammed Irfan
- Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Adefolarin A. Amu
- Pharmacy Department, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Patrick Matowa
- Pharmacy Department, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Robert Incoom
- Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Israel Abebrese Sefah
- Pharmacy Department, Keta Municipal Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Keta-Dzelukope, Ghana
- Pharmacy Practise Department of Pharmacy Practise, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Volta Region, Ghana
| | | | - Sylvia Opanga
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practise, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - David Kimonge
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practise, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hye-Young Kwon
- Division of Biology and Public Health, Mokwon University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - SeungJin Bae
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Woman's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - 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 (YUMSUK), Kano, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practise, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Oliver Ombeva Malande
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya
- East Africa Centre for Vaccines and Immunisation (ECAVI), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Thereza Piloya-Were
- Paediatric Endocrinologist, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Luke Alutuli
- University Teaching Hospital Group, Department of Pharmacy, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Iris Hoxha
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | - Vanda Marković-Peković
- Department of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Biljana Tubic
- Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Guenka Petrova
- Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmacoeconomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Konstantin Tachkov
- Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmacoeconomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ott Laius
- State Agency of Medicines, Tartu, Estonia
| | - András Harsanyi
- Department of Health Policy and Health Economics, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Inotai
- Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
- Center of Health Technology Assessment, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Arianit Jakupi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, UBT Higher Education Institute, Pristina, Kosovo
| | | | - Kristina Garuoliene
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jolanta Gulbinovič
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Magdalene Wladysiuk
- Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- HTA Consulting, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - 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
| | | | | | - Caridad Pontes
- Drug Department, Catalan Health Service, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Corinne Zara
- Drug Department, Catalan Health Service, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eunice Twumwaa Tagoe
- Department of Management Science, Business School, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Banzi
- Center for Health Regulatory Policies, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri” IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Janney Wale
- Independent Consumer Advocate, Brunswick, VIC, Australia
| | - Mihajlo Jakovljevic
- Department of Global Health Economics and Policy, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Faculty of Economics, Institute of Comparative Economic Studies, Hosei University Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Saleem Z, Saeed H, Akbar Z, Saeed A, Khalid S, Farrukh L, Irfan A, Anam A, Hassali MA, Rasheed H, Babar ZUD. WHO key access antibiotics price, availability and affordability in private sector pharmacies in Pakistan. COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION 2021; 19:10. [PMID: 33593366 PMCID: PMC7885400 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-021-00263-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor availability and unaffordability of key access antibiotics may increase antimicrobial resistance in the community by promoting inappropriate antibiotic selection and abridged therapy compliance. OBJECTIVE To check the prices, availability, and affordability of the World Health Organization (WHO) key access antibiotics in private sector pharmacies of Lahore, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY A survey of WHO key access antibiotics from WHO essential medicine list 2017 was conducted in private sector pharmacies of 4 different regions of Lahore employing adapted WHO/HAI methodology. The comparison of prices and availability between originator brands (OB) and lowest price generics (LPG) were conducted followed by the effect of medicine price differences on patient's affordability. The data were analyzed using a preprogrammed WHO Microsoft excel workbook. RESULTS The mean availability of OB products was 45.20% and the availability of LPGs was 40.40%. The OBs of co-amoxiclav, clarithromycin and metronidazole and LPGs of azithromycin and ciprofloxacin were easily available (100%) in all private sector pharmacies. Whereas, antibiotics like chloramphenicol, cloxacillin, nitrofurantoin, spectinomycin, and cefazolin were totally unavailable in all the surveyed pharmacies. The OBs and LPGs with high MPRs were ceftriaxone (OB; 15.31, LPG; 6.38) and ciprofloxacin (OB; 12.42, LPG; 5.77). The median of brand premium obtained was 38.7%, which varied between the lowest brand premium of 3.97% for metronidazole and highest for ceftriaxone i.e. 140%. The cost of standard treatment was 0.5 day's wage (median) if using OB and 0.4 day's wage (median) for LPG, for a lowest paid unskilled government worker. Treatment with OB and LPG was unaffordable for ciprofloxacin (OB; 2.4, LPG; 1.1) & cefotaxime (OB; 12.7, LPG; 8.1). CONCLUSION There is dire need to properly implement price control policies to better regulate fragile antibiotic supply system so that the availability of both OB and LPG of key access antibiotics should be increased. The prices could be reduced by improving purchasing efficiency, excluding taxes and regulating mark-ups. This could increase the affordability of patients to complete their antibiotic therapy with subsequent reduction in antimicrobial resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hamid Saeed
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zunaira Akbar
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Amna Saeed
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,The Global Health Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Saleha Khalid
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Laiba Farrukh
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Aleena Irfan
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Azka Anam
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mohamed Azmi Hassali
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town, Malaysia
| | - Huma Rasheed
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Saeed A, Saeed F, Saeed H, Saleem Z, Yang C, Chang J, Jiang M, Zhao M, Saqlain M, Ji W, Aziz MM, Lambojon K, Gillani AH, Hayat K, Gul S, Fang Y, Babar ZUD. Access to Essential Cardiovascular Medicines in Pakistan: A National Survey on the Availability, Price, and Affordability, Using WHO/HAI Methodology. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:595008. [PMID: 33708114 PMCID: PMC7941209 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.595008] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This national survey was aimed at measuring the access to cardiovascular disease (CVD) medicines in terms of their availability, price, and affordability in Pakistan. This was done by using the standard WHO/Health Action International (HAI) methodology. Methods: The price and availability data for 18 CVD medicines were collected from public sector hospitals (n = 40) and private sector retail pharmacies (n = 40) in eight cities of Pakistan. The outcome measures were availability (calculated as percentage of health facilities stocked with listed medicines), medicine price to the international reference price ratio (i.e., median price ratio (MPR)), and affordability (calculated as number of days’ wages (NDWs) of the lowest paid unskilled government worker required to afford one-month treatment of a chronic disease). The affordability of standard treatment in Pakistan with four CVD drugs was compared with data from six other low and middle income countries (LMICs) using HAI database. Findings: The mean percent availability of CVD medicines was significantly low (p < 0.001) in the public sector as compared to the private sector, that is, 25.5% vs. 54.6% for originator brands (OBs) and 30.4% vs. 34.9% for lowest price generics (LPGs), respectively. For all OBs and LPGs, the inflation-adjusted mean MPR was 2.72 and 1, respectively. CVD medicines were found to be unaffordable with average NDWs of 6.4 and 2.2 for OBs and LPGs, respectively, that is, NDWs of more than 1. In international comparison with countries such as Sudan, Lebanon, Egypt, India, Afghanistan, and China, the affordability of standard treatment with selected CVD medicines (atenolol, amlodipine, captopril, and simvastatin) in Pakistan was found to be low. Overall, all four OBs and three out of four LPGs of selected CVD drugs were found unaffordable in Pakistan. Conclusion: This data indicated that the availability of selected CVD medicines was low in both public and private sector medicine outlets. Both OBs and LPGs were found unaffordable in the private sector, necessitating the redressal of pricing policies, structuring, and their implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amna Saeed
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China.,Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Faria Saeed
- Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hamid Saeed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zikria Saleem
- Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Caijun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Chang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minghuan Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mingyue Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Muhammad Saqlain
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Wenjing Ji
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Muhammad Majid Aziz
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Krizzia Lambojon
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ali Hassan Gillani
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Khezar Hayat
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sabiha Gul
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|