Analysis of the Consumption of Drugs Prescribed for the Treatment of Asthma in Belgian Children.

(1) Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world among children. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the consumption of asthma medications in order to investigate asthma in children (2-18 years) and the association with health care consumption; (2) a retrospective study using anonymized administrative data for 2013-2018 from the third largest Belgian health insurer was conducted; (3) in 2018, 12.9% of children received at least one asthma medication and 4.

Using administrative healthcare database records to study trends in prescribed medication dispensed during pregnancy in Belgium from 2003 to 2017.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe trends in medication prescriptions dispensed during pregnancy in Belgium using administrative healthcare database records from a representative sample of the Belgian population.

Methods: Pregnant women were identified with reimbursement codes associated with the delivery of a baby. Data were extracted for three study periods, each over 3 years: 2003-2005, 2009-2011, and 2015-2017.

International comparison of orthotic brace prices.

This study compared market prices (i.e. third-party reimbursement and patient co-payment) of prefabricated neck, wrist and knee braces in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Ontario (Canada) and the UK.

Reforming the Belgian market for orthotic braces: what can we learn from the international experience?

Objectives: This article aims to review regulation governing outpatient orthotic braces (neck, wrist and knee braces) in France, the Netherlands and Sweden with a view to reforming the Belgian market.

Methods: Information about the regulatory framework was derived from an analysis of legal texts and a survey completed by national experts.

Results: Strategies to keep down prices include public procurement in Sweden, maximum prices in France, and exclusion of expensive braces from reimbursement in the Netherlands.

Do tariffs and prices correspond with costs? A case study of orthotic braces.

Objectives: The Belgian third-party payer wishes to set reimbursement tariffs at a level that reflects the costs of orthotic braces. This article aims to calculate production and distribution costs of a prefabricated hard neck and knee brace and to explore whether Belgian tariffs and actual retail prices correspond with estimated costs of these two braces.

Methods: The cost model considered manufacturing costs, general overheads, research and development costs, warehousing costs, profit and distribution margins.