E-DRUG: Medicine utilisation and pricing in Malaysia (repeat)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Dear E-druggers:
Few days ago I posted the abstract of the medicine
utlisation and pricing study in Malaysia. I recieved
some interesting messages and a fruitful discussion
was going on. But unfortunately, my previous e-mail
adress is not working any more. So for those who still
wish to keep in touch, please contact me through my new
e-mail adress.
horizon_pharm@yahoo.com
I apologize for the inconveneience.
Regards
Zaheer-Ud-din Babar, MScPharm, Ph.D (Scholar)
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
horizon_pharm@yahoo.com
baber24@hotmail.com
[abstract repeated below; WB]
------
Medicine utlization and pricing: the findings of a household survey in
Malaysia
1Babar ZU, 3Izham M Ibrahim M,2Bukhari NI, 1Opabola SB, 3Bahari MB
1School of Pharmacy, University College Sedaya International, 56100,
Kuala-Lumpur
2School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala-Lumpur
3School of Pharmacy, University Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
Abstract
The objectives of the study were to identify the most prevalent ailments and
commonly used medicines. Retail, public sector and MSH-reference prices were
also noted and compared. A convenient sampling method was employed to survey
from 33 households in a metropolitan city. Each family was followed for 8
weeks to note their health status, diseases, and medication taking behaviour
and observations were recorded in a logbook. Usage of modern & traditional
medicine, disease prognosis, and compliance assessment was also observed.
Medicines prices of retail and public sector were obtained and per unit
doses
and Defined Daily Doses (DDDs) were compared with the MSH-reference prices.
Results showed average numbers of family members in each household were 4.
Among 81 commonly used modern medicines, 63 were branded and 18 were
generic.
Prices of 5 medicines were found to be lower when compared with
MSH-reference
prices. Out of 81, 23 medicines were essential drugs. The Most common
ailments
identified were cardiovascular and endocrine disorders followed by CNS
disorders, musculo-sekeletal diseases and infectious illnesses.
Beta-Blockers
& Calcium Channel Blockers were among the most commonly used medicines.
This study further revealed that the majority of the patients used
traditional
medicines and supplements along with their modern medicines, which can lead
to
drug interactions and warrants further investigations for relevance. In
conclusion, widespread use of branded medicines in the absence of a National
Health Insurance (NHI) can lead to high out-of-pocket expenditures. The
differential between branded medicine prices and MSH- reference prices were
found to be significant and needs critical evaluation and regulation.
--
To send a message to E-Drug, write to: e-drug@healthnet.org
To subscribe or unsubscribe, write to: majordomo@healthnet.org
in the body of the message type: subscribe e-drug OR unsubscribe e-drug
To contact a person, send a message to: e-drug-help@healthnet.org
Information and archives: http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug