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Some Problems and Pitfalls in Developing Countries
Author(s) -
Murthy J. M. K.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1046/j.1528-1157.44.s.1.3.x
Subject(s) - tolerability , reimbursement , developing country , epilepsy , ethnic group , medicine , intensive care medicine , health care , developed country , antiepileptic drug , psychiatry , economic growth , economics , alternative medicine , political science , population , environmental health , pathology , law
Summary: In developed countries with well‐structured health care and reimbursement systems, epilepsy care is evidence based. By contrast, in developing countries, patients with epilepsy encounter several significant barriers to adequate treatment and are more often managed according to local ethnic, racial, religious, economic, educational, and cultural diversities. Cost is one issue that clearly determines antiepileptic drug (AED) selection, and it is reasonable to recommend one of the traditional, and cheaper, AEDs as first‐line therapy. However, the appropriate choice of drug in an individual patient is a balance of efficacy, tolerability, and cost and should be tailored to individual affordability.