RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization provides 10 specific guidelines for managing the prices of pharmaceutical products. Many of those are widely known and used such as reference pricing, value-based pricing, price transparency, and tendering. Less attention and knowledge is concentrated in markup regulation across the pharmaceutical supply chain and distribution and in tax exemptions or reductions. This article quantifies the impact of these price components in the Latin American (LatAm) region and places the findings in the context of economic theory and international policy experiences. METHODS: 2020 retail pharmaceutical sales data from 8 major LatAm markets covered in the IQVIA database were decomposed into ex-factory, distributor markups, and taxes using price build up information and the Price Decipher Methodology developed by the Novartis Global Pricing Governance and Negotiation team. The findings were reviewed by an international panel representing academia, health policy, health economics, patient, and industry. RESULTS: The ex-factory market value of the analyzed markets was $49 billion. Distribution markups added $20 billion and taxes a further $10.5 billion. This represented a 63% increase over ex-factory prices, considered high if compared with 24% for an international benchmark of 35 ex-LatAm countries. Reducing markups for these LatAm countries to 24% would represent up to $19 billion in savings for payers and patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is potential for significant cost reductions associated with tax and distribution markup refinements in the LatAm retail pharmaceutical market. National policies should be informed by additional context-specific research for effective implementation.
RESUMEN
Counterfeiting drugs has been a global concern for years. Considering the lack of transparency within the current pharmaceutical distribution system, research has shown that blockchain technology is a promising solution for an improved supply chain system. This study aims to explore the current solution proposals for distribution systems using blockchain technology. Based on a literature review on currently proposed solutions, it is identified that the secrecy of the data within the system and nodes' reputation in decision making has not been considered. The proposed prototype uses a zero-knowledge proof protocol to ensure the integrity of the distributed data. It uses the Markov model to track each node's 'reputation score' based on their interactions to predict the reliability of the nodes in consensus decision making. Analysis of the prototype demonstrates a reliable method in decision making, which concludes with overall improvements in the system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The result indicates that the decision protocol must be significantly considered in a reliable distribution system. It is recommended that the pharmaceutical distribution systems adopt a relevant protocol to design their blockchain solution. Continuous research is required further to increase performance and reliability within blockchain distribution systems.
Asunto(s)
Cadena de Bloques , Confidencialidad , Preparaciones Farmacéuticas , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , TecnologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of a medication sampling program involving community pharmacists. METHODS: A community pharmacy dispensed samples after receiving a voucher given to patients by prescribers. Surveys explored prescribers' and patients' views about sampling and patients' experiences with the program. KEY FINDINGS: Half of prescribers reported providing samples, yet 15 patients redeemed 18 vouchers over 1 year. Patients expressed favourable views towards sampling and pharmacist involvement, despite more than half (n = 8/15, 53%) feeling that visiting the pharmacy was less convenient. CONCLUSION: A voucher-based medication sampling program based in a community pharmacy is a model integrating pharmacist care.
Asunto(s)
Servicios Comunitarios de Farmacia/organización & administración , Prescripciones de Medicamentos , Farmacéuticos/organización & administración , Medicamentos bajo Prescripción/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Industria Farmacéutica/economía , Estudios de Factibilidad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Médicos/estadística & datos numéricos , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/organización & administración , Medicamentos bajo Prescripción/economía , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE:To provide policy suggestion for the effective implementation of"two-invoice system"policy in the field of pharmaceutical distribution in China. METHODS:By analyzing current mode and problems of pharmaceutical distribution in China,the implementation background of"two-invoice system"was understood.At the same time,main points of"two-invoice system"policy were reviewed and summarized;the effect of the policy promotion and the potential risks could be inferred,and the corresponding policy suggestions were put forward. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:At present,there are many problems in the field of pharmaceutical distribution in China,such as low concentration of industry,confusion of circulation order,numerous relevant parties of interest chain and endless violations. The implementation of"two-invoice system"has realized the consistency of invoice flow,logistics and cash flow,through clearly defining production enterprises,strengthening invoice management of circulation enterprises and public medical institutions,guaranteeing drug supply in remote areas, constructing information platform,compressing circulation link,integrating circulation enterprises,implementing"point to an area"completely. It is conducive to effectively improve regulatory efficiency of government departments and the concentration of pharmaceutical distribution industry,and is expected to reduce the virtual high drug price through linkage with other policies. The"two-invoice system"policy framework of provinces(regions,cities)is adjusted according to practical situation of different districts based on the national policy,corresponding practice and exploration have been carried out. The"two-invoice system"has its own adaptability in the implementation process,which may cause drug shortages,local protectionism and new interest chain. The author puts forward the countermeasures,such as timely assessment of the implementation of the"two-invoice system",taking various measures to ensure the supply of drugs,setting up appropriate policy transition period,and strengthening coordination and cooperation among relevant departments so as to response to potential risks during the implementation of the"two-invoice system"policy.
RESUMEN
The main purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding, within the field of corporate entrepreneurship, of the various factors that enable technology entrepreneurship in established firms and its principal effects on customers and society. The paper reports on a case study regarding technology entrepreneurship in a Spanish company whose activity is pharmaceutical distribution. This company has been able to overcome the consequences of the worldwide crisis and start an innovative process which includes the installation of new information technology (IT) and an investment of 6 million Euros. It is, in this respect, a model to imitate and the objective of this paper is therefore to discover the managers' entrepreneurial orientation (EO) characteristics which have made this possible, along with the organizational and social effects resulting from the process. We verify that EO is present in this company and that the development of new IT has important effects on customers and the population.