Evidence-Based Decision on Medical Technologies in Asia Pacific: Experiences from India, Malaysia, Philippines, and Pakistan

Abstract

In the region under discussion, one of the priority areas that the different regulatory agencies would benefit from is human resource development to facilitate the process of evidence based assessment of health technologies. Higher budgetary allocation and stronger legislation is also needed along with interagency and international coordination and cooperation to harmonize.

Adapting Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Strategies for Achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nepal: Lessons from Selected Low- And Lower-Middle-Income Countries

“…In Askes scheme, a fixed amount is reimbursed, and an annual reimbursement list is published [36] . Philippines publishes Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF), the drugs listed on which are reimbursed [33] and has also adopted pharmacoeconomic and cost-effectiveness approach to take decision on reimbursement of non-PNDF drugs [33] . Further, setting a maximum reimbursable amount is practiced for in-patient medicines; out-patient ones have to be borne by the person out of pocket [21,33] .…”

“…Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Cambodia have been proposed, although this has yet to be put into practice [15] . Philippines has in place drugs price monitoring, with monthly data collection of drug prices and annual comparison with international price [33] . Further, prices for 185 drugs have been published, termed as Drug Price Reference Index (DPRI), which help maintain price transparency and work as ceiling prices for reimbursement [33] .…”

“…Philippines has in place drugs price monitoring, with monthly data collection of drug prices and annual comparison with international price [33] . Further, prices for 185 drugs have been published, termed as Drug Price Reference Index (DPRI), which help maintain price transparency and work as ceiling prices for reimbursement [33] . Among the Asian countries studied here, Bangladesh generally has lowest price, followed by Sri Lanka and India [20] .…”

“…Indonesia also provides them free of charge from public sector pharmacies [22] . Philippines has Essential Drug Price Monitoring System (EDPMS) for nationwide monitoring of essential medicines from drugstores on a monthly basis [33] . An Essential Drug Price Monitoring Oversight Committee in Philippines provides recommendations to Secretary of Health for price ceilings of essential medicines [33] .…”

“…Philippines has Essential Drug Price Monitoring System (EDPMS) for nationwide monitoring of essential medicines from drugstores on a monthly basis [33] . An Essential Drug Price Monitoring Oversight Committee in Philippines provides recommendations to Secretary of Health for price ceilings of essential medicines [33] . Moldova [24] , Ethiopia [25] , Ghana [26] and Nigeria [27] provide free of charge medicines for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria and vaccines under Expanded Program on Immunization for children.…”