Antibiotic Consumption and an Opportunity for Savings by Pricing Regulation
| Autoři | |
|---|---|
| Rok publikování | 2024 |
| Druh | Článek v odborném periodiku |
| Časopis / Zdroj | VALUE IN HEALTH |
| Fakulta / Pracoviště MU | |
| Citace | |
| www | https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/article/S1098-3015(24)04452-8/abstract |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2024.10.1589 |
| Klíčová slova | antibiotic, savings, cost-efectiveness |
| Popis | Objectives In Slovakia, the proportion between the co-payment and the insurance company's payment for antibiotics was previously regulated by the decree of the Ministry of Health. The ratio was breached because of alterations made to the law and the frequent pricing references. The analysis aims to ascertain how much money is saved when antibiotic referencing is discontinued, and a defined percentage reimbursement rate is established. Methods We reviewed Slovakia's 2018–2022 use of the top twelve antibiotics. The National Center for Health Information's data and regularly posted lists of restricted pharmaceuticals were used in the inquiry. The average pharmaceutical price and reimbursement were calculated annually using the monthly listings. The average cost was determined for each pack. Results Between 2018 and 2022, the payment amount for antibiotics from public health insurance reached €11.3M in 2020 to €19.2M in 2022. Savings between €1.8M to €2.7M can be achieved if a 50:50 set reimbursement ratio between the insurance company and the patient is implemented. Savings between €6.5M to €10.9M for healthcare payers can be achieved if the insurance company-to-patient ratio were 25:75. Among all the disorders assessed for which antibiotics were suggested, the ten most common diseases accounted for 76–82% of cases annually. Roughly thirty per cent of all illnesses were caused by upper respiratory tract infections and acute bronchitis. Conclusions It is feasible to divert the saved funds toward paying for novel, cutting-edge medications by establishing a set ratio between the patient's and the insurance company's reimbursement. Raising the price of antibiotics might discourage overuse. The increase in co-payments must not affect chronic patients because they represent a small percentage of the total, and their consumption is necessary for health. It is best to establish a separate payment group for chronic patients. |