Managing new premium-priced medicines in Europe

Managing new premium-priced medicines in Europe

An issue of growing concern for health policy-makers in Europe is the continuing rise in spending on pharmaceuticals. In OECD countries pharmaceutical expenditure rose by 3.5% per year between 2000 and 2009, and averages 18-19% of total health expenditure [1]. Similar averages are seen across Europe, with pharmaceutical spending representing the largest component of ambulatory care [2]. Spendin...

Access to High-priced Medicines in Hospital Settings in Europe

Introduction and Utilization of High Priced HCV Medicines across Europe; Implications for the Future

BACKGROUND Infection with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a widespread transmittable disease with a diagnosed prevalence of 2.0%. Fortunately, it is now curable in most patients. Sales of medicines to treat HCV infection grew 2.7% per year between 2004 and 2011, enhanced by the launch of the protease inhibitors (PIs) boceprevir (BCV) and telaprevir (TVR) in addition to ribavirin and pegylated in...

Managing Premium Data

Managing Premium Data

Policy options to deal with high-cost medicines – survey with European policy-makers

Background The affordability and financing of new, frequently high-cost, medicines pose challenges to governments world-wide. In Europe, the continual introduction of new premium-priced medicines is of special concern and requires adapted policy options. The aim of the study was to survey whether and which pricing and reimbursement policy options European countries have implemented for new prem...