Premium
Access to High‐Cost Drugs: Decision Makers' Perspectives
Author(s) -
Gallego Gisselle,
Melocco Terry,
Taylor Susan J,
Brien Joanne E
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2005.tb00294.x
Subject(s) - equity (law) , medicine , pharmacy , public sector , public relations , family medicine , economics , economy , political science , law
Aim To explore the attitudes, perceptions and concerns among decision makers about equity of access to high‐cost drugs in public hospitals. Method 25 in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with senior hospital administrators, directors of pharmacy and senior medical doctors. Topics included the decision‐making process and associated problems, and solutions to issues of access to high‐cost drugs. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results Healthcare funding models were perceived as obstacles to equity of access to high‐cost drugs. Participants were concerned that there were inequities in decisions for individual patients according to public or private sector status. Tertiary public hospitals were seen to be at the ‘cutting edge’ and therefore were required to fund new and expensive drugs. This meant prioritising between patient groups and individuals. Participants had difficulty in identifying solutions. They suggested that ethical principles should be considered in addition to safety, efficacy and cost. Most wanted a transparent, accountable, evidence‐based decision‐making process. Conclusion Decision makers were concerned about equity of access to high‐cost drugs in public hospitals. They were also concerned about processes for decision making and the outcomes of these decisions.