Pricing strategies for pharmaceuticals in developing countries: what options do we have?

Abstract: Effective pharmaceutical pricing policies in developing countries are important to ensure accessibility and affordability of essential medicines for the people. Submitted: 24 October 2016; Revised: 27 February 2017; Accepted: 28 February 2017; Published online first: 13 March 2017 In developing countries, essential medicines are not always available to those who need them because of […]


Reducing healthcare costs and building trust in biosimilar medicines

Author byline as per print journal: Niklas Ekman, PhD; Professor Arnold G Vulto, PharmD, PhD; Paul Cornes, MD Abstract: The increasing cost of medicines was highlighted at the Biosimilar Medicines Group (formerly EBG) satellite symposium at the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists’ 2016 Vienna conference. Using biosimilars as a way to reduce pharmaceutical expenditure was […]


How do regional sickness funds encourage more rational use of medicines, including the increase of generic uptake? A case study from Austria

Objective: To analyse similarities and differences between activities carried out by Austrian sickness funds to encourage more rational use of medicines, including increasing generics uptake. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with pharmacoeconomic unit staff of four regional sickness funds in Austria. Results: Sickness funds include a variety of activities. The main target group is prescribers, who are […]