European prices of newly launched reimbursable pharmaceuticals--a pilot study.
High prices of new pharmaceuticals play an important part in rapidly rising pharmaceutical costs. Many countries try to curb these rising costs through control of the price of reimbursable medicines. There is, however, little internationally comparable information on prices. This study aimed to examine the prices of new, reimbursable pharmaceuticals in the EU member states. Price data were collected from eight products authorised by the EC in 2000. The prices of these products varied considerably. Wholesale prices were highest in those countries where manufacturers are free to set the prices of their products. Pharmacy margins and taxes, however, change the ranking of the most expensive or the cheapest countries.
Martikainen
Jaana
J
Research Department, The Social Insurance Institution, P.O. Box 450, FIN-00101 Helsinki, Finland. jaana.martikainen@kela.fi
Kivi
Ismo
I
Linnosmaa
Ismo
I
D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D016527:Drug Costs; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics*; D005060:Europe; D005062:European Union; D005252:Fees, Pharmaceutical; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations