title: [Pharmaceutical procurement by the public sector: the quality/cost relationship].
abstract: The authors discuss procurement and provision of pharmaceutical products from the perspective of supply management in the public health sector, focusing on two main aspects: quality and cost. The article analyzes issues to be considered by buyers when evaluating drug quality, especially formulation stability, bioequivalence, and the role of generics. Also discussed are factors involving costs and cost management in relation to technological innovations and consumer demands. New alternatives and suggestions are examined and presented for procurement of high-quality, cost-effective drug products.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Farmácia, Hospital Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brasil. vera@fiocruz.br
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Luiza
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nunes
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003363:Cost Control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D004345:Drug Industry; D017150:Public Sector / Q000191:economics*; D011682:Purchasing, Hospital / Q000191:economics