title: A first step towards transparency in pricing of medicines and scheduled substances - publication of guidelines for pharmaco-economic submissions.
abstract: The National Department of Health of South Africa recently published guidelines for pharmaco-economic (PE) submissions in accordance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act 101 of 1965), which came into effect on 1 April 2013. These guidelines relate to the compilation of PE submissions for evidence of cost-effectiveness of medicine or scheduled substances. The PE guidelines are a first step towards the creation of a mechanism whereby the value of medicine can be quantified in a transparent manner. The 'voluntary' nature of PE submissions speaks to the current lack of knowledge, understanding and capacity related to pharmaco-economics that exists in the private healthcare market. The current disconnect between the PE guidelines and the Medical Schemes Act should be addressed as a matter of urgency to provide a mechanism whereby guidance in terms of cost-effectiveness from a PE evaluation will be supported by guaranteed reimbursement by medical schemes.
authors.affiliation: HEXOR Pty Ltd, South Africa. tienies@hexor.co.za.
authors.forename: Marthinus Petrus
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Stander
authors.forename: Margreet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergh
authors.forename: Helen Elizabeth
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Miller-Jansön
mesh_terms: D003363:Cost Control / Q000592:standards*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D013019:South Africa