How do regional sickness funds encourage more rational use of medicines, including the increase of generic uptake? A case study from Austria
Journal Title: Generics and Biosimilars Initiative Journal - Year 2013, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Objective: To analyse similarities and differences between activities carried out by Austrian sickness funds to encourage more rational use of medicines, including increasing generics uptake. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with pharmacoeconomic unit staff of four regional sickness funds in Austria. Results: Sickness funds include a variety of activities. The main target group is prescribers, who are provided information and educational materials, and whose prescription patterns are monitored. All surveyed sickness funds encourage doctors to prescribe more generics as part of an overall strategy to improved rational prescribing. Sickness funds provide patient information; however, pharmacists are not considered to be a target group. In recent years, sickness funds responsible for primary care have launched joint initiatives with hospitals, e.g. training of hospital staff, with the aim of improving pharmacotherapy at the interface between outpatient (ambulatory) and hospital care. Discussion: All surveyed sickness funds carry out similar activities; however, the design of the individual measures differs between them as they have been adapted to meet regional differences. Conclusion: Sickness funds have initiated a number of regional activities. The effect of these activities could be reinforced if national policies were in place to support them. Examples include generics substitution and International Nonproprietary Name prescribing, regular analysis and publication of pharmaceutical spending and consumption, and improvement of pharmacotherapy at the interface between outpatient and hospital care.
Authors and Affiliations
Sabine Vogler, Nina Zimmermann
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP354987
- DOI 10.5639/gabij.2013.0202.027
- Views 108
- Downloads 0
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