Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 MSc, Drug Supervision, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch, Isfahan, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Medication and its cost in the country's health care system are of grave importance. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the increase in medication costs in comparison to the increase in medication funding per capita of the outpatients insured by the Iranian Salamat Insurance in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic study. The data were collected using an information form including the variables of pharmaceutical expenditure, pharmaceutical expenditure per capita, the number of insured per city, approved cost per capita, operating cost per capita, the number of pharmacies, expensive drugs, drugs with the highest rate per capita, and drugs with the highest frequency of use. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: From 2009 to 2013, the drug costs constituted, respectively, 25, 23, 22, 22, and 31 percent of the total health care costs of the Iranian Salamat Insurance. Amount per capita in 2013 compared to years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 were 58, 49, 28, and 21 percent higher, respectively. Drug operating cost and its growth rate had increased during the studied 5 years, compared to the approved costs per capita. More than half of the total drug cost in 2009-2013 was allocated to the 35 most expensive drugs. The Pearson correlation showed that with increase in operating cost, the number of visits to pharmacies decreased. Conclusion: Revision of drug reimbursement, substitution of lower-cost drugs, and modification of the prescription pattern used by physicians can be effective in the optimization of drug costs.
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