Government Regulation of Pricing and Reimbursement of Prescription Medicines: Results of a Recent Multi-Country Review

摘要

Access to prescription medicines is an essential component of publicly funded or publicly assisted healthcare programs. Thus, important policy questions are presented when government agencies that administer those programs establish procedures for making decisions about the appropriate use of medicines, including determinations as to which medicines will be reimbursed, at what prices, and for which patients. Governments have a legitimate interest in controlling the cost of public health programs. Butit is also appropriate to consider the interests of other stakeholders. Patients may, for example, seek access to the newest and most effective medicines. Healthcare professionals may wish to exercise individualized judgment on behalf of their patients. Society as a whole has an interest in providing incentives for research and development of new treatments, which may be undermined by decisions on pricing and reimbursement of innovative products.