Analysis of the influence of recent reforms in China: Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular medicines as a case history to provide future direction

Wenjie Zeng, Junjie Zhen, Mengying Feng, Stephen M. Campbell, Alexander E. Finlayson, Brian Godman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Pharmaceutical expenditure has grown by 16% per annum in China, enhanced by incentives for physicians and hospitals. Hospital pharmacies dispense 80% of medicines in China, accounting for 46% of total hospital expenditure. Principal measures to moderate drug expenditure growth include pricing initiatives as limited demand-side measures. Objective: Assess current utilization and expenditure including traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) between 2006 and 2012. Methods: Uncontrolled retrospective study of medicines to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in one of the largest hospitals in southwest China. Results: Utilization increased 3.3-fold for cerebrovascular medicines, greatest for TCMs, with expenditure increasing 4.85-fold. Low prices for generics were seen, similar to Europe. However, there was variable utilization of generics at 29-31% of total product volumes in recent years. There continued to be irrationality in prescribing with high use of TCMs, and the utilization of different medicines dropping significantly once they achieved low prices. Conclusion: Prices still have an appreciable impact on utilization in China. Potential measures similar to those implemented among western European countries could improve prescribing rationality and conserve resources.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)371-386
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Comparative Effectiveness Research
Volume3
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • China
  • cardiovascular drugs
  • demand-side measures
  • drug utilization
  • generics

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