title: Evolution of the Serbian pharmaceutical market alongside socioeconomic transition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  South-eastern European socioeconomic transition followed by extensive health systems reforms has completely changed the pharmaceuticals market landscape in the region. Serbia, as the largest Western Balkans market, may serve as an example of such changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive trend analysis of national-level dispensing of medicines in Serbia 2004-2012 was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total public health expenditure in Serbia increased sharply in less than a decade (€1,175,158,679 to €1,847,971,776); public spending on pharmaceuticals doubled (€339,279,304 to €742,013,976). Market growth was primarily driven by statins, novel platelet aggregation inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and combined preparations indicated in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pharmaceutical market of Serbia has undergone thorough and complete transformation from within. Serious crisis of medicine supply sustainability is currently shaking Balkan health systems due to increasing public debt worsened by global recession. More responsible reimbursement policy rooted in cost-effectiveness principle is needed in years to come.
authors.affiliation: Head of Graduate Health Economics & Pharmacoeconomics Curricula, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
authors.forename: Mihajlo B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jakovljevic
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Djordjevic
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jurisevic
authors.forename: Slobodan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jankovic
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000191:economics*; D055771:Serbia; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Serbia; Western Balkans; expenditure; pharmaceutical market; reimbursement; socioeconomic transition; transformation; trend