Abstract

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MEDICINES REIMBURSEMENT MODELS IN ITALY, FRANCE, UNITED KINGDOM, AND GERMANY

Albena Zlatareva, MD, PhD*

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to investigate and make a comparative analysis of models of reimbursement of medicines in selected Western European countries, the EU based. Selection of the countries is because they are relatively stable economic members of the G8 and old traditions patterns drug policy, present different reimbursement models and apply any specific mechanisms in the financing of drugs from their public funds. The analysis is based on specific legislation and mechanisms of reimbursement of medicines in those western European countries was examined in the literature databases, legislative bases and national health reports. All countries apply a mix of measures for cost control of the reimbursement. Measures of detention of the costs of drugs in the system of reimbursement and in the 5 countries include positive drug list and a negative one, type of economic evaluation is also used in the five countries as well as schemes for sharing the risk ,surcharge of patient and reference pricing. Used more and more standardized methods for systematic assessment and evaluation of criteria such as the relative effectiveness, profitability, budget impact, medical / therapeutic needs, social and ethical considerations also play a role in these decisions.

Keywords: Financing, reimbursement, drug positive list, sharing schemes risk, health technologies assessment.