Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7640

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Mossialos E, Mrazek MF.
Data needed for developing and monitoring policies
International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine 2002; 15:(1-2):15-27

Abstract:

Since drug expenditure is determined largely by price, patient need and prescribing choice, data on expenditure can only be realistically monitored by taking these elements into consideration. The data needed in order to develop and monitor drug policies must.therefore relate to a whole series of issues and actors. One needs to consider how these data can be obtained and examine some methodological problems that can arise in collecting and using them. Monitoring alone will not explain the trend in drug expenditures, nor will it answer the question as to whether the level of expenditure is appropriate, to meet reasonable goals in terms of health. It is therefore necessary to look beyond expenditure data and examine the changes in underlying trends in patient needs, prescribing choice and pricing. If we are to understand what factors create and modify a trend in drug expenditure, we shall need to look both at drug utilization and at prices. Expenditure data alone cannot, for example, differentiate a country with high unit consumption but low drug prices from one with high prices and lower levels of drug consumption.