Comparison of pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement systems in Turkey and certain EU countries

Abstract

Recently, the need for health care services has increased gradually and the limitations in sources allocated for this area have been recognized. Moving from this fact, it has gained a supreme importance to determine what health programs or technologies will be given priority. According to Danzon (Reference pricing: theory and evidence, reference pricing and pharmaceutical policy: perspectives on economics and innovation, springer, New York, pp 86–126, 2001), arrangements towards controlling the expenses through price and profit controls, reimbursement methods and incentives have recently gained wide currency. This present study examines; along with the current situation in Turkey, pharmaceutical pricing methods, reimbursement methods and basic health indicators, within the scope of changing pharmaceutical policies, in Turkey, the EU countries which Turkey takes as reference and the United Kingdom, the implementations of which are of utmost importance for other countries. Upon the research conducted, it was detected that the pharmaceutical pricing in Turkey has been performed on the basis of the reference pricing system that takes Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece and France as reference. The regulations regarding the reimbursement process are determined by SSI. For Turkey’s case; pricing and reimbursement system has been changed numerous times and the discount rates has incrementally risen. In pricing, on the other hand, during this period companies faced with difficulties in economic terms because of the fact that price discount of high rates are implemented over the reference price and that the European currency of Euro is determined as 70% of previous year average Euro sales rate which is 2,1166 for the year 2016. Each country has specific regulations and pricing and reimbursement policies of medicines based on economic situation, reimbursement methods and market size. The aim of pricing and reimbursement systems are reaching more efficient and sustainable healthcare systems.

Regional differences in type 2 diabetes treatment and outcomes in Germany—An analysis of the German DPV and DIVE registries

“…We conclude that treatment strategies and outcomes for T2DM vary worldwide, between different countries of Europe and even regionally in different federal states of Germany . While patients' T2DM profile, genetic background, and adherence to therapeutic interventions on an individual level certainly play a role in treatment modality and outcome, differences at the population level concerning planning, resourcing, and targeting for health care services should also be taken into account . It is difficult to obtain representative data on real‐world diabetes care.…”

“…39 While patients' T2DM profile, genetic background, and adherence to therapeutic interventions on an individual level certainly play a role in treatment modality and outcome, differences at the population level concerning planning, resourcing, and targeting for health care services should also be taken into account. 3,38,[40][41][42][43] It is difficult to obtain representative data on real-world diabetes care. The registries of DIVE and DPV contribute to this task, involving a large number of participants, despite limitations due to the recruitment process.…”

Pharmaceutical Pricing Methods and a Reflection from World to Türkiye: Traditional Review

“…21,22 Avrupa Birliği (AB) ülkelerine genel olarak bakıldığında, serbest fiyatlandırma, referans fiyatlandırma ve kâr kontrollerini içeren fiyatlandırma yaklaşımları olmak üzere üç temel yaklaşımın söz konusu olduğunu söylemek mümkündür. 23,24 Ancak ilaç fiyatlandırma konusunda, hemen her ülke kendi sağlık harcamaları, bütçesi ve ilaç pazarını göz önünde bulundurarak bir veya birden çok yöntemi bir arada belirli bir düzen içerisinde uygulamaktadır. 24 Hatta birçok ülkede referans fiyatların temel bir kriter olarak yer aldığını söylemek mümkündür.…”

A study on determining the opinions and attitudes of community pharmacists about non-pharmaceutical medicinal products

“…For example, a distinction between medicinal products and other products (such as cosmetics, food supplements, biocidal products, and combinations thereof) may be useful. In Turkey, Social Security Institution (SSI) is payer and decision making body of Turkish Government for drug reimbursement [7]. Community pharmacists have to fulfill some bureaucratic procedures when they give a prescription medicine or reimbursable OTC product in order to get reimbursement from SSI.…”