Pharmaceutical industry and trade liberalization using computable general equilibrium model

Computable general equilibrium models are known as a powerful instrument in economic analyses and widely have been used in order to evaluate trade liberalization effects. The purpose of this study was to provide the impacts of trade openness on pharmaceutical industry using CGE model. Using a computable general equilibrium model in this study, the effects of decrease in tariffs as a symbol of trade liberalization on key variables of Iranian pharmaceutical products were studied. Simulation was performed via two scenarios in this study. The first scenario was the effect of decrease in tariffs of pharmaceutical products as 10, 30, 50, and 100 on key drug variables, and the second was the effect of decrease in other sectors except pharmaceutical products on vital and economic variables of pharmaceutical products. The required data were obtained and the model parameters were calibrated according to the social accounting matrix of Iran in 2006. The results associated with simulation demonstrated that the first scenario has increased import, export, drug supply to markets and household consumption, while import, export, supply of product to market, and household consumption of pharmaceutical products would averagely decrease in the second scenario. Ultimately, society welfare would improve in all scenarios. We presents and synthesizes the CGE model which could be used to analyze trade liberalization policy issue in developing countries [like Iran], and thus provides information that policymakers can use to improve the pharmacy economics

[Cost price estimation of radiology services in Shafa Hospital, Kerman, 2010]

Activity Based Costing is widely used as a cost measurement instrument to more closely approximate the true cost of operations. This study was aimed to estimate radiology services total cost in Shafa hospital, Kerman. This practical research was done by descriptive method in a Cross-sectional and retrospective form during year 2010. Data was collected trough direct observation, interviews and information sheets of hospital. Cost price of radiology services calculated by using activity based costing method and Excell software. Personnel cost involved 55.70% from total costs in the radiology department that is the highest share of department costs. Consuming materials obtained 7/57% of department costs. Nutrition cost's share was 1/23%. Water, electricity and telephone costs were/32% from total cost. Also, the depreciation cost equals 14/96% of total costs. Total cost in this ward was 1396273212 Rials from which 97/68% is related to direct costs and 2/32% to indirect costs. The results of research indicated that we can reduce the services cost price by improving performance management, especially human resource management initiatives and standardization of consumptions to reduce the consuming materials coat

use of plethysmography for deep venous thrombosis [DVT] detection in total hip replacement a different experience

The value of Plethysmography as a non-invasive technique to diagnose DVT compared to venography in joint replacement surgery was investigated. In the early post operative period most patients found plethysmography very painful to perform since the procedure involves hip and knee flexion up to 90 degree,s which is difficult in the early post operative days. Plethysmography is not suitable in early post-operative days in hip replacement surgery

Blood parameters as potential non invasive methods to diagnose deep venous thrombosis in T.H.R.

DVT is considered to be one of the major complications seen mainly after total joint replacement. The diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis [DVT] is carried out by clinical examination and objective investigations which confirm the clinical signs. Blood parameters as potential non-invasive methods are used to diagnose deep venous thrombosis in total hip replacement. The primary aim was to assess the accuracy of the blood tests, D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin III complex and prothrombin fragments in diagnosing DVT in high risk patients using venography as a control. The second aim was to determine which of these blood markers is more accurate in diagnosing thrombosis. Blood samples were taken from 16 patients, 4 males and 12 females, aged from 55-86 years, all of them were admitted for hip replacement. In 5 out of 16 patients venography showed a positive DVT. Out of 16 patients only one had a clinically suspected DVT which was confirmed by venogram. The results showed significant differences for D-dimer when comparing pre-operative with post-operative levels in patients with proven DVT by venography. TAT results showed significant differences between pre-operative and post-operative results both in DVT positive and negative patients, and F 1 + 2 results were not significantly different between DVT positive and DVT negative patients. D-Dimer might be considered to be the most significant parameter among the three tests investigated which be might used as a screening test for DVT