[The evolution of the quality and price of the pharmaceutical supply financed by the public health system].
OBJECTIVE
To find the evolution of quality and price in the supply of medicines financed over the last 28 years.


METHODS
A descriptive, crossover study of the catalogue of products.


METHODS
Analysis of 11,482 drugs packages financed by the public health system.


RESULTS
The intrinsic value of each package, its potential use and its indicator of chronicity were analysed. Me-agains were identified in 3,285 products and me-toos among 879 different active principles. The medicines no longer financed after Act 83/1993 were compared with those still being financed.


CONCLUSIONS
The supply of medicines financed has tended towards increases in intrinsic value, single-component products and price. Most of the drugs affected by the act are: older, cheaper, poorer quality and with more active principles. 31% of the supply has still not shown any clinical efficacy.
Grau Bartomeu
J
J
ABS Raval-Sud, Hospitals de la Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona.
Benavent Areu
J
J
Casajoana Brunet
J
J
Franch Nadal
J
J
Salgado Pineda
M
M
Cucurull Folguera
E
E
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D011634:Public Health / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D013030:Spain