E-drug: Drug pricing and affordability
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Dear E-druggers
We conducted the following study on drug pricing and affordability in
Malaysia.
Affordability & Differential Drug Pricing: the Malaysian Perspective.
ZU Baber1, M Izham M Ibrahim2, BVS Lokesh3
1, 3 - School of Pharmacy, Sedaya International College, 56100,
Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia
2 - School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
11800, Penang, Malaysia
Affordability and accessibility are major components of the National
Drug Policy (NDP). The objectives of this study are, to identify
perceptions of consumers on the affordability of medicines, and the
comparison of drug prices from retail pharmacies and government
hospitals with the International Reference Prices (IRP). The drugs for
comparison were selected from the WHO Core list of medicines
(n=13). To assess consumers' perception, 230 questionnaires were
distributed and a response rate of 86% was achieved. 28% of the
consumers thought that drugs are cheap, 26% considered drug
prices reasonable, and 56% viewed medicine as expensive.
Regarding government control on drug prices, 25% of the consumers
strongly agreed, 43% agreed, 19% had no opinion and, 12.5%
disagreed with the pricing regulation. 37% of the consumers obtained
medicines from private hospitals/clinics, 42% purchased from retail
pharmacies and 13% took from the government hospitals. 57% of the
subjects believed that drug prices would influence their decision to
purchase medicine. When the community pharmacy prices were
compared with the median of IRP, 1264 % increase in drug prices
was observed. Comparison of IRP with the prices from government
hospitals resulted in a 119% increase. This pattern shows a
tremendous increase in drug prices, particularly when community
pharmacy prices were compared with IRP. To conclude, there is a
need for more detailed investigation on differential drug pricing and
pricing mechanisms. A thorough analysis will help to promote proper
regulation of drug prices and will ensure equity and access.
Zaheer-Ud-din Baber, MScPharm
Lecturer
School of Pharmacy
University College Sedaya International (UCSI)
11 Jalan Manis 1,Taman Segar, Cheras, 56100
Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60-3-91329326 ext : 308
Fax:+60-3-91329327
www.sedaya.edu.my
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