Cost-containment policies in public pharmaceutical spending in the EU

Carone, Giuseppe and Schwierz, Christoph and Xavier, Ana (2012): Cost-containment policies in public pharmaceutical spending in the EU. Published in: European Economy- Economic Papers , Vol. ISSN 1, No. 461 (14 September 2012): pp. 1-64.

Abstract

This paper presents and evaluates pharmaceutical policies in the EU aimed at the rational use of medicines and at keeping pharmaceutical spending under control. Policy makers are growing more aware that by regulating pharmaceutical markets correctly, considerable savings can be achieved without compromising the quality of care. Specifically, the paper makes the case that, by following numerous best-practices in pharmaceutical sector regulations, the value for money of pharmaceutical consumption could be substantially increased. Appropriate regulations can be relevant for pricing, reimbursement, market entry and expenditure control, as well as specific policies targeted at the distribution chain, physicians and patients.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: rational use of medicines, generic substitution, public pharmaceutical expenditure, pharmaceutical policies, cost-containment, value for money, pharmaceutical sector regulations
• Subjects: H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies > H51 - Government Expenditures and Health; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I18 - Government Policy ; Regulation ; Public Health; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I0 - General > I00 - General; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I10 - General

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