Background: This paper aims to investigate the development trend of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in China and explore their medical service innovations, with special reference to the changing co-existence with western medicine (WM) at TCM hospitals. Methods: Quantitative data at macro level was collected from official databases of China Health Statistical Yearbook and Extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicine Statistics. Qualitative data at micro level was gathered through interviews and second-hand material collection at two of the top-level TCM hospitals. Results: In both outpatient and inpatient sectors of TCM hospitals, drug fees accounted for the biggest part of hospital revenue. Application of WM medical exanimation increased in both outpatient and inpatient services. Even though the demand for WM drugs was much higher in inpatient care, TCM drugs was the winner in the outpatient. Also qualitative evidence showed that TCM dominated the outpatient hospital service with WM incorporated in the assisting role. However, it was in the inpatient medical care that WM prevailed over TCM which was mostly applied to the rehabilitation of patients. Conclusion: By drawing on WM while keeping it active in supporting and strengthening the TCM operation in the TCM hospital, the current system accommodates the overriding objective which is for TCM to evolve into a fully informed and more viable medical field.

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This article aims to explore the trends of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) research and commercialization, mainly to examine the development trajectories by a contrastive exploration of successful and unsuccessful mAb. This work is based on two sets of R&D project reports, consisting of 517 discontinued mAb project reports and 64 marketed mAb project reports, from IMS Lifecycle R&D Focus. The analysis of drug development processes will provide the basic evidences of mAb technology commercialization. We examined the mAb research and commercialization from three perspectives: (1) Countries with mAb research activity; (2) Organizations participating in mAb research and development; and (3) Clusters of keywords (indication and class description) regarding mAb. The technology factor, the market factor and the abilities of participating firms to pursue commercialization were analyzed. Through data analysis, we have discovered that the research and development on mAb has reached a mature and diversified stage.

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OBJECTIVES: Irrational use of drugs is a serious problem in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the practice of drug use of outpatients and their perception of medication counseling activities in a Vietnamese hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey with a 20-item questionnaire with outpatients was conducted at the Hue University Hospital in 2017. RESULTS: A total of 385 patients were interviewed. A half of patients missed drugs at least one time (of them, 67.14% quicked that dose and then took the next dose as usually, and 32.86% took it when remembered). And 6.23% of patients splitted pills without recommendation, 6.75% took drugs with fluids other than water (tea, milk ...). When suffering from uncommon signs, 50.42% of patients continued taking drugs, 32.21% stopped and counsel with physicians and 4.34% stopped taking drugs until those symptoms were resolved. About 30.00% of patients discountinued treatment by themselves because of relieved symptoms (65.21%) or inefffective treatment (11.30%). About 78.86% of patients were consulted about drug use by health care providers (78.73% by physicians, 21.27% by pharmacists) and 76.64% of them were not satisfied with their counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Drug use of outpatients were varied. Most patients were not satisfied with drug counseling by health care providers. Lack of patient counseling of drug use may be one of reasons of inappropriate practices of drug use.

divergent recommendations on the frequency with which this tool ought to be applied, ranging from regular to minimal use for price revisions. To understand which of these recommendations is in sync with current IRP use, an international analysis of IRP policy was conducted. METHODS: Between January 2017 and May 2018, a review of pricing regulations was conducted across 64 countries. In cases where information gaps or ambiguities were identified, interviews were completed with payers, policymakers and pharmaceutical industry members. Qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses were conducted to characterize IRP use. RESULTS: When segmenting countries by frequency of IRP application, there is no clear majority. The largest segment (31.3%) applies IRP annually, a share only marginally larger than that which applies IRP only at launch (29.7%). Smaller segments apply IRP at longer (21.9%) or shorter (17.2%) intervals than once per year. No clear trend emerges in terms of correlation between frequency of IRP application and other country characteristics. A number of countries characterized as having mature policy frameworks were found to be actively debating, or have recently completed, changes to the time points at which IRP is applied. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively large share of countries reserve IRP for application at time of launch, typically relying on alternative mechanisms to manage pharmaceutical expenditure (including price cuts unrelated to IRP itself). In light of debates surrounding frequency of IRP application, this means there is considerable scope for international pricing dynamics to evolve, were more countries to move to application of IRP downstream of launch. At the same time, lack of a clear majority in terms of frequency of IRP use suggests establishing alignment on what constitutes "regular" versus "minimal" application may be difficult.OBJECTIVES: Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) has decentralized healthcare system with two major public health insurance funds (HIFs) on entity level. Since 2017 maximal price are regulated expecting to ensure savings for HIFs. Objective of this study is to evaluate effect of price control on top twenty reimbursed drugs by HIFs. METHODS: Prices for top twenty medicines reimbursed by HIF in Federation of B&H (FB&H) and Republic of Srpska (RS) are compared before and after implementation of price regulation. We have analyzed percentage of savings and impact of the price ordinance on reimbursement prices and reimbursement prices differences among two entities -FB&H and RS. RESULTS: Twenty INNs identified with 48 different dosages that are mostly prescribed and reimbursed by HIFs. Before implementation of price control, in FB&H 54% reimbursed medicines had higher price, 40% lower and 6% on the same level vs regulated with average price per unit-pack of 9,48V. After implementation of price regulation for 54% of medicines price was decreased 46% had already lower price kept or did not have impact, none of reimbursed medicines exceed maximum allowed price with average price per un...