Filtering for the best policy: An economic evaluation of policy options for kidney replacement coverage in the Philippines.

Aim: Kidney failure patients in the Philippines have free choice on their kidney replacement therapy (KRT), with a majority choosing haemodialysis (HD) over peritoneal dialysis (PD) and transplantation despite the inadequate coverage of HD. Although national health insurance coverage is limited, KRT remains to be one of the top benefits pay-outs in the country. The study aims to identify the most cost-effective policy strategy for financing KRT in the Philippines, in the context of a universal healthcare policy.

Pilot Study Comparing the Efficacy, Safety, Convertibility, and Tacrolimus Trough Levels of Twice-Daily Tacrolimus (Prograf) to Once-Daily Tacrolimus (Advagraf) Among Standard-Risk Kidney Transplant Patients at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

Background: Recently, a once-daily formulation of tacrolimus (Advagraf) was released in the Philippines. Studies have shown that these 2 formulations are bioequivalent at a 1:1 conversion. This study aims to determine the efficacy, safety, convertibility, and tacrolimus trough level of once-daily tacrolimus at the end of 6 months post transplant.

Outcomes of Renal Allograft Recipients With Hepatitis B From January 2000 to December 2010.

Objective: The author evaluated graft and patient outcomes of renal allograft recipients with hepatitis B infection at National Kidney and Transplant Institute from January 2000 to December 2010.

Methods: Retrospective study with patients who underwent renal transplant with HBV infection and group of HBV-negative patients in the same post-transplantation period. Data were gathered from the patients' in-hospital and out-patient clinic records and the MEDSYS database.

Outcomes of Kidney Transplantations Under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's Type Z Benefit Package at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippines.

Background: Under the Universal Health Care Program of the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) launched the Case Type Z benefit package for kidney transplantation, providing the largest amount (USD $13,300.00) for any single medical procedure. The objective of this study was to describe under the PHIC Case Type Z Benefit Package for kidney transplantation at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and kidney transplantation outcomes under this package.

Outcomes of Renal Allograft Recipients With Hepatitis C.

Background: Studies on the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showed decreased graft survival compared to HCV-negative matched patients. It was also identified as an independent risk factor for graft loss and mortality in kidney transplantation patients.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the 10-year graft and patient outcomes of renal allograft recipients with HCV infection at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.