Comparing policies to enhance prescribing efficiency in Europe through increasing generic utilization: changes seen and global implications.

Aim: The aim of this article was to evaluate the influence of different demand-side measures to enhance the prescribing of generics in ambulatory care based on cross-national comparisons.

Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted using administrative databases from across Europe, documenting changes in reimbursed utilization and expenditure of different proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins between 2001 and 2007, alongside different reforms to enhance prescribing efficiency. Utilization was converted to defined daily doses (DDDs) and expenditures were converted to euros.

Use of Generics-A Critical Cost Containment Measure for All Healthcare Professionals in Europe?

Pharmaceutical expenditures in ambulatory care rose rapidly in Europe in the 1990s and early 2000s. This was typically faster than other components of healthcare spending, leading to reforms to moderate future growth. A number of these centered on generic medicines with measures to lower reimbursed prices as well as enhance their prescribing and dispensing.

Policies to enhance prescribing efficiency in europe: findings and future implications.

Introduction: European countries need to learn from each other to address unsustainable increases in pharmaceutical expenditures.

Objective: To assess the influence of the many supply and demand-side initiatives introduced across Europe to enhance prescribing efficiency in ambulatory care. As a result provide future guidance to countries.

Cost-minimization analysis comparing topiramate with standard treatments in migraine prophylaxis.

Migraine is a common disorder with a relatively high burden of disease from the perspective of both society and the individual patient. Optimizing the use of prophylactic treatment may decrease the frequency and severity of attacks thus reducing the burden of disease. In this regard, topiramate has been found to be as effective as propranolol in the prevention of migraine attacks.