E-DRUG: Effects of regulating mark-ups and discounts/rebates on drug prices
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Dear E-Druggers
1. I am preparing a paper which is examining the evidence base of
regulating wholesaler and retail mark-ups as a policy intervention tool
in the regulation of pharmaceutical prices, particularly in low- and
middle-income countries. I am therefore looking for any papers, reports
(published or unpublished) or grey literature which describe particular
instances when mark-ups (or margins) have been regulated in low-
middle-income countries and the effect has been measured or described in
terms of:
- medicine prices
- viability of wholesalers/retailers
- ease of implementation/enforcement
- unexpected effects or outcomes (incentives/disincentives created)
- prerequisites/resources/skills for successful implementation (or
reasons for failure)
2. I am also interested in examples of attempts to regulate discounts,
rebates and other trade schemes that may be offered by manufacturers or
wholesalers/distributors which can lead to a lack of transparency in the
pricing of medicines and undermine mark-up regulation. I would be
equally interested to receive or be directed to any papers/reports
describing these and their effects, successes and failures.
I am aware of South Africa having legislation against the offering of
discounts throughout the supply chain (and Denmark barring discounts
between wholesalers and pharmacies) - I would be grateful to learn of
other examples and whether the legislation is effective.
I would be pleased to receive pointers or files directly
(douglasball[AT]yahoo.co.uk) rather than through E-Drug.
The final paper will be publicly available in due course and will be
announced in this forum.
Thank you in advance.
Regards
Douglas Ball
Pharmaceutical consultant
Public Health and Development
E-mail: douglasball[AT]yahoo.co.uk