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Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder associated with microvascular and macrovascular complications in type 2 DM. Oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) play an important role in regulating raised blood glucose levels and compliance to treatment. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate cost variations of different brands of drug formulations in the management of DM. Materials and Methods: This study was an analytical study. Costs of various OADs were obtained from January to March 2022 edition of current index of medical specialties India. The cost ratio and percentage of variation among different drugs in the treatment of DM available in Indian Market and Manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies were analyzed. Results: The percentage variation in cost among commonly prescribed single OADs was found to be highest for sulfonylurea group of dugs Glimepiride 1 mg tablet (1.366%), followed by Biguanides, Metformin 500 mg tablet (809%), ?-Glucosidase inhibitors, and Voglibose 0.3 mg tablet (571%), while it was lowest for Glibenclamide 5 mg tablet (36%) and Acarbose 25 mg tablet (36%) of sulfonylurea drugs and ?-Glucosidase inhibitors group of drugs, respectively. In combination drug therapy, Glibenclamide and Metformin combination (1.25 + 250 mg tablet) shows maximum variation (132%). Conclusion: There is a wide difference existing in the cost of various oral anti-diabetics available in Indian Market by different brands. The physicians must be aware of these variations and prescribe medicines accordingly, while considering the financial status of patient and also to promote adherence to treatment.
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@#Introduction: Due to the increasing rate of drug prices and overall healthcare inflation, stakeholders from the pharmaceutical industry and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are voicing their concerns about the possible reciprocal effects in the long run. Drug price controls (DPCs) regulation is crucial to ensure affordability and indirectly reduce congestion in public healthcare facilities. This study aims to identify the SWOT analysis of the DPCs in Malaysia and how it will impact the drug supply chain. Methods: The study adopted a subjective environmental scanning method and a SWOT analysis tool to examine the Malaysian pharmaceutical DPCs in the healthcare supply chain (HSC) ecosystem through both intrinsic and extrinsic perspectives. Results: The immediate effect of DPCs would be beneficial, especially to the patients and the government. Balancing the right amount of control and liberalization of the market is seen to be the biggest factor contributing to the policy’s effect on the drug supply chain. The main concern would be the long-term effect as mixed results are coming from a group of countries that had implemented a similar policy. Conclusion: Notwithstanding the qualitative methodology of the paper, the findings could provide a better understanding of the price of drugs in Malaysia’s HSC and serve as a foundation for future studies. This paper proposes a new way to diversify the DPCs economy by entering the HSC chain industry.
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OBJECTIVE To systemically sort out the main practices of local drug online procurement， so as to provide reference for national and local governments to improve drug online procurement policies and drug price formation mechanism. METHODS By searching the official websites of 31 provincial medical security bureaus and drug-centralized procurement platforms in China， the classification methods and main goals of local drug online procurement were summarized， then the main practices of local drug online procurement were analyzed based on the main goals， and corresponding suggestion was put forward. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS There were two classification methods of online drug procurement in each province， one is based on online or purchase methods， and the other is based on drug dimensions. Five main objectives of online drug procurement in each province are to ensure reasonable drug prices， meet clinical drug demand， ensure stable drug supply， cooperate with the implementation of drug policies， and standardize the behavior of transaction subjects. In order to achieve the five goals， each province has taken some targeted measures， but the severity of the policy varies greatly. In order to further improve the online drug procurement policy and improve the market-oriented online drug price formation mechanism， it is suggested to build the top-level design of online drug procurement， strengthen the management of the price comparison relationship of similar drugs， give full play to the monitoring function of the drug-centralized procurement platform and establish a national unified drug-centralized procurement platform.
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High quality is the premise for the implementation of high quality and good price for decoction pieces， and grade is the most direct manifestation of high quality of decoction pieces. However， there is still a lack of scientific and reasonable methods for evaluating the grade of decoction pieces， and it is urgent to establish a widely recognized and unified standard for the grade of decoction pieces to ensure the quality of the decoction pieces and guarantee the safety and efficacy of clinical use. Based on this， this paper focused on analyzing the problems of the current grade evaluation methods， such as unclear distinction between quality standards and grade standards， unreasonable selection of grade evaluation indicators， and inaccurate application of mathematical statistical methods. Based on the analysis of the grade evaluation of decoction pieces， this paper proposed four criteria for establishing the grade evaluation method of decoction pieces， namely universality， comprehensiveness， reliability and convenience， in order to establish a more reasonable and unified grade standard for decoction pieces and promote the quality improvement of decoction pieces and the development of the industry.
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Objective:To compare and analyze the pricing units and prices of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medical services in 4 provinces of the Yangtze River Delta, for reference for the integrated development of TCM medical service project setting and price coordination in the Yangtze River Delta region.Methods:The medical service price project specifications published on the official websites of relevant departments in 4 provinces of the Yangtze River Delta (updated to March 2022) were obtained to extract data such as project names and pricing units. The pricing units and prices of TCM medical service projects in each province were compared and analyzed; The Jevons index method was used to analyze comparable project prices.Results:The numbers of TCM medical service projects in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui were 113, 146, 117, and 198, respectively. The types of pricing units were 15, 24, 13, and 12, respectively. There were differences in the setting of pricing units, especially in acupuncture and moxibustion, which had more decomposition projects. The average price of overall medical services in the Yangtze River Delta was 9.81 times that of TCM medical services. There were differences in the prices of comparable TCM medical service projects among the four provinces. Based on Anhui province, the inter provincial Jevons index of other categories of TCM medical service projects except for TCM massage were all less than 1.00.Conclusions:There were significant differences in the pricing units and prices of TCM medical service projects in the four provinces of the Yangtze River Delta, with Anhui province having the most significant difference compared to the other three provinces; The overall price of TCM medical service projects was relatively low.
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OBJECTIVE To analyze the current situation of pediatric drug use under centralized drug procurement， and to provide reference for the subsequent design of pediatric drug centralized procurement rules. METHODS The comparative analysis method was used to analyze the problems in the centralized procurement， clinical use and supply of pediatric drugs from the aspects of centralized procurement selection results and actual use of pediatric drugs， price difference and online prices of pediatric drugs. The solutions were put forward to optimize the centralized procurement and pricing rules of pediatric drugs. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The demands for pediatric drugs in China were increasing， but the supply of marketed pediatric drugs was insufficient （including insufficient coverage of disease fields， insufficient varieties， insufficient suitable dosage forms for children， insufficient specifications for children， etc.）， and the development of pediatric drugs was relatively difficult. After merging the dosage forms of centralized procurement according to the medical insurance list， some suitable dosage forms and specifications for children couldn’t be selected， resulting in a shortage of clinical pediatric medication. Relevant enterprises’ enthusiasm for developing and producing pediatric drugs and participating in online competitions had decreased. There was also the problem of underpricing of pediatric drugs under the drug price difference ratio rule. It is recommended that when conducting centralized drug procurement， special drugs for children should be grouped separately for centralized procurement based on attributes and the population covered by the indications. The specifications of suitable pediatric drugs that were not selected are converted into the agreed purchase quantity of medical institutions in a certain proportion. It is necessary to further optimize the pricing rules for pediatric specialized drugs， ensure a certain profit margin for such drugs， increase the willingness of production enterprises to research， develop and supply drugs， and thus ensure the use and supply of pediatric drugs.
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In?ation is a burning problem that is hampering the country's economic growth. Economists, Politicians, and even people are getting busy. It is very dangerous because it directly affects people's living standards. The responsibility of governments, politicians, and economists is to protect the common man from in?ation. Statistical data show that India's in?ation rate is high, especially for food. The cause could be the supply/demand side that reduces people's purchasing power and also affects people's savings. This paper uses the statistics given to describe agricultural productivity and sophisticated retail techniques and reforms that help protect people from in?ation. Government policies such as monetary and industrial policies should prepare India for lower in?ation
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Background: Appropriate use of drugs is essential in dermatophytosis to reduce morbidity and associated financial burden to the sufferers. Aims and Objectives: To explore the demographic characteristics along with the prescription pattern, self-medication practice, and price variability of the prescribed brands in the treatment of the dermatophytosis patients. Materials and Methods: Newly diagnosed consented dermatophytosis patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional observational study. Their baseline demographic characteristics were documented in the case report form along with the prescription details with self-medication history and Maximum Retail Price of each prescribed brand of drug. Results: Among total of 114 subjects (68 males, 46 females), majority were young (56.14%, <33 y). Most common diagnosis was tinea cruris followed by combination of tinea cruris and corporis. Average monthly family income was 11469.29 ± 10027.5 INR. Brand prescription was (74.15%), higher than generic (25.84%). Oral formulations were more prescribed (54.83%) than topical (45.16%) whereas individually luliconazole (cream) topped (23.18%) in the list. No topical or systemic steroid was prescribed. The commonest drug regimen was capsule itraconazole, luliconazole cream, and cetirizine or levocetirizine tablet with or without ketoconazole soap or tea tree body wash (71/114, 62.28%). About 39.47% subjects practiced self-medication, topical steroids (37.20%) mostly used. Price variability (percentage) among brands of the same drug was highest in ketoconazole soap (138.66%), followed by terbinafine tablet 250 mg (89.50%) followed by itraconazole capsule (83.33%). Conclusion: Luliconazole cream, itraconazole (capsule/tablet), terbinafine (tablet) and ketoconazole soap were the highly prescribed antifungal agents whereas topical steroid was mostly preferred as self-medication. Prescription of generic drugs should be promoted as well as inappropriate use of self-medication should be discouraged among the prescribers and the patients respectively.
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Objective: To identify whether the drug purchases made by the Health Consortia were more efficient, in economic terms, than the purchases made individually by the Municipal Institutions, for the years 2017 and 2018. Methods: Descriptive analysis of the sample, using the trend measures central, economic analysis and calculation of the economic percentage. Results: The values obtained showed efficiency in consortium purchases, reflected in the greater quantity acquired and the lower price practiced, for most of the items analyzed in the reference period. Conclusions: Purchases by Health Consortia provided more savings compared to purchases made by Municipal Institutions, proving to be an option to obtain economic resources for health.
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Objetivo: Identificar se as aquisições de medicamentos realizadas pelos Consórcios de Saúde foram mais eficientes, em termos econômicos, que as compras realizadas individualmente pelas Instituições Municipais, para os anos de 2017 e 2018. Métodos: Análise descritiva da amostra, empregando as medidas de tendência central, análise econômica e cálculo do percentual econômico. Resultados: Os valores obtidos mostraram eficiência nas compras dos consórcios, refletidos na maior quantidade adquirida e no menor preço praticado, para a maioria dos itens analisados no período de referência. Conclusão: As compras pelos Consórcios de Saúde proporcionaram mais economia em comparação com as compras realizadas pelas Instituições Municipais, mostrando-se como uma opção para obter economicidade dos recursos destinados à saúde.
Objective: To identify whether the drug purchases made by the Health Consortia were more efficient, in economic terms, than the purchases made individually by the Municipal Institutions, for the years 2017 and 2018. Methods: Descriptive analysis of the sample, using the trend measures central, economic analysis and calculation of the economic percentage. Results: The values obtained showed efficiency in consortium purchases, reflected in the greater quantity acquired and the lower price practiced, for most of the items analyzed in the reference period. Conclusion: Purchases by Health Consortia provided more savings compared to purchases made by Municipal Institutions, proving to be an option to obtain economic resources for health.
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Drug Price , Unified Health System , Economics, Pharmaceutical , Health Price BankABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN: El cannabidiol (CBD), un derivado de la planta de cannabis, está autorizado como especialidad medicinal para su comercialización en Argentina y otros países con el fin de tratar la epilepsia resistente a fármacos. Se encuentran en estudio otras potenciales indicaciones. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una evaluación de tecnología sanitaria para la Comisión Nacional de Evaluación de Tecnologías de Salud (CONETEC) sobre CBD para epilepsia resistente a fármacos en Argentina. RESULTADOS: Se describen aspectos legales, regulatorios y económicos, las evidencias disponibles sobre eficacia y seguridad en epilepsia y el impacto presupuestario. DISCUSIÓN: La evaluación pone de manifiesto una serie de desafíos para el sistema de salud argentino, relacionados con el mercado del CBD para la epilepsia en el país, su tamaño, los distintos actores y su comportamiento. Se indaga acerca de la estructura de costos, los márgenes de ganancia, y se mencionan algunas estrategias que fueron puestas en práctica por la industria farmacéutica en Argentina y otros países. Se discute el impacto de la competencia en los precios y se describen potenciales herramientas del Estado para la regulación como el uso de precios de referencia internacionales, la evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias y las compras mancomunadas, así como la articulación con productores nacionales y actores internacionales.
INTRODUCTION: Cannabidiol (CBD), a derivative of the cannabis plant, is authorized as a medicinal product for sale in Argentina and other countries for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Other potential indications are under study. METHODS: A health technology assessment was conducted for CONETEC (National Commission for Health Technology Assessment), analyzing CBD for drug-resistant epilepsy in Argentina. RESULTS: Legal, regulatory and economic aspects are described as well as the available evidence on efficacy and safety in epilepsy, and the budget impact. DISCUSSION: The assessment highlights a series of challenges for the Argentine health system, related to the CBD market for epilepsy, its size, the different actors, and their behavior. Inquiries are made about cost structure and profit margins, mentioning some strategies that were put into practice by the pharmaceutical industry in Argentina and other countries. The impact of competition on prices is discussed, and potential State tools for price regulation like the use of international reference prices, health technology assessment and joint purchases, as well as articulation with national producers and international actors are described.
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Technology Assessment, Biomedical , Drug Price , Cannabidiol , Cannabis , Pharmaceutical PreparationsABSTRACT
Constructing a scientific, standardized and reasonable dynamic adjustment model of medical service price has important reference value for the dynamic adjustment of medical service price in public hospitals. In view of the current situation at home and abroad, the authors analyzed the influencing factors of such adjustment, and constructed a dynamic adjustment model of medical service price, referring on the resource-based relative value scale theory. This model could calculate the intrinsic price of individual medical services, taking into full account the basic human resource consumption and time consumption, as well as the technical difficulty and risk degree of such services. On such basis, the economic development and price level of individual regions were integrated into the model to calculate the extrinsic price of these services. Taking the debridement(suture) service of a hospital as an example, this model was used for empirical research. It was estimated that the extrinsic price of a debridement(suture)(small) service was 54.82 yuan, that of a debridement(suture)(medium) service was 104.34 yuan, and that of a debridement(suture)(large) was 142.93 yuan. The price gap between the actual price and these estimated prices was 10.18 yuan, -26.34 yuan and -51.93 yuan respectively. This research proved that the model could be helpful to sort out the price ratio relationship and better reflect the technical labor value of medical workers.
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In order to compare the setting of difference coefficients in DRG point payment in different cities in Zhejiang province, the implementation rules of DRG point payment issued by 11 cities in Zhejiang province were comprehensively analyzed. It was found that the difference coefficients in different cities could be divided into three categories, including hospital coefficients alone, hospital coefficients and grade coefficients weighted, and weighted by hospital coefficients, grade coefficients, personal burden levels, case mix indexes, and head-to-time ratio. Its setting differences included four aspects: connotation composition, weight distribution, threshold value, and classification of medical institutions. The authors suggested that the adjustment cycle should be set scientifically to dynamically adjust the difference coefficient, and the scientific setting of the difference coefficient should be promoted through provincial coordination.
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Medical service pricing system is the basic system of health economics, which has a profound impact on physicians′ medical behavior and the running mode of hospital. Rui′an City, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, freed up the cost space of drug and consumables based on the reasonable diagnosis and treatment behavior of doctors and selection of drug and consumables in the hospital procurement link. 68% of the free space was used to improve the price of medical services. 248 medical service items with obvious cost inversion were selected, such as nursing, traditional Chinese medicine, diagnosis, etc., and the price adjustment range was determined according to the agreed free space limit. Meanwhile, the credit mechanism of Alipay was applied to synchronously implement " vacating space and adjusting structure" , so as to solve the game problem between medical treatment and medical insurance, broaden the path of the " translation compensation method" of medical service price reform, and produce policy superposition and linkage effect with the reform of medical insurance payment mode.
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Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic puts the healthcare systems at risk due to the still uncertain operational and financial impacts of it. The difficult economic conditions of the population also call for more attention from government officials to define strategies that guarantee access to health services and products. Maintaining the supply chain of pharmaceutical products is not only paramount to cover the immediate medical response but will be fundamental to reducing disruption of the healthcare system. Increasing drug prices during the pandemic is definitely not a strategy that contributes to access. In this sense, this commentary presents a criticism of a decision by the Brazilian government that may impact the availability in health services and the population's access to medicines necessary for the maintenance of life.
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Resumo Desde 2003, a Câmara de Regulação do Mercado de Medicamentos (CMED) é responsável por estabelecer o preço máximo ao consumidor (PMC) para medicamentos. O objetivo deste estudo é comparar preços praticados na internet com o PMC e verificar como se dá a diferença média de preços entre eles no mercado em dois segmentos de medicamentos existentes no Brasil, os de referência e os genéricos. Foi realizada uma coleta de preços de medicamentos em sítios eletrônicos de farmácias e drogarias e os preços coletados foram comparados com os seus respectivos PMCs para o ano de 2019. Foram analisados 68 fármacos e 268 apresentações comerciais de medicamentos genéricos e de referência relativas a esses fármacos. Observou-se um padrão distinto para a diferença média de preços praticados em relação ao PMC em cada segmento de mercado, sendo que, em sua maioria, os genéricos tendiam a praticar as maiores diferenças e os de referência as menores diferenças. O problema da distorção dos preços praticados em relação ao PMC apontados pela literatura foi confirmado principalmente em relação ao mercado de genéricos. Conclui-se que seria importante uma revisão periódica do PMC levando em conta os preços praticados no varejo.
Abstract Since 2003, the Medicine Market Regulation Chamber (CMED, in portuguese) has been responsible for establishing the maximum consumer prices (MCP) for medicines. The aim of this study is to compare prices practiced on the internet with the MCP and identify the average price difference between them in two segments of existing drugs in Brazil, the reference and the generic ones. Drug prices were collected on websites of pharmacies and drugstores and compared with their respective MCP for the year 2019. The analysis included 68 drugs and 268 commercial presentations of generic and reference drugs related to these drugs. A different pattern was observed for the average price difference in relation to the MCP in each market segment, with most generic drugs tending to show the highest differences and the reference drugs the lowest ones. The problem of price distortion in relation to the MCP pointed out by the literature was confirmed mainly in relation to the generic drug market. It was concluded that a periodic review of the MCP would be important, considering retail prices.
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Humans , Pharmacies , Drug Costs , Brazil , Drugs, Generic , InternetABSTRACT
Resumen Objetivo: Describir consumo, precio, elasticidad de la demanda de cigarrillos y relación con normativas legales dirigidas a reducir el tabaquismo 1980 - 2020. Material y métodos: Estudio convencional, observacional descriptivo, transversal, mixto, en dos etapas. La primera identifica normativas legales; la segunda, describe consumo per cápita de cigarrillo, precio y la elasticidad de la demanda. Resultados: Se han establecido 37 instrumentos jurídicos relacionados con tabaquismo, se encuentra insertado en seis normativas sobre salud en general, 31 especificas. Ocho tienen alcance nacional; 28 alcance limitado a Organismos de la Administración Central del Estado y un Grupo Empresarial; y el Acuerdo No.5570/05 que es el de mayor rango. Gran parte de las normativas que promulga el Convenio Marco de Control del Tabaco de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, se encuentran insertadas en normativas jurídicas vigentes, pero las de mayor impacto para reducir el tabaquismo, solo cumplen con las que no poseen carácter legal y económico. De 1980 al 2019, el consumo per cápita de cigarrillos en la población cubana de 15 años y más ha decrecido 65.44 %; el precio promedio de la cajetilla de 20 cigarrillos, no ha permitido establecer correlación entre ambas variables, solo en momentos puntuales; igual la elasticidad producto - precio. Se han mantenido oscilaciones en el consumo, que parecen estar relacionadas con situaciones sociales y económicas, que han producido aumentos o disminuciones derivadas de elasticidad cruzada no estudiada. Conclusiones. Las normativas legales dirigidas a reducir el consumo de cigarrillos en Cuba resultan insuficientes, tanto en su contenido expreso, como en su cumplimiento para lograr tal propósito.
Abstract Objective: To describe cigarette consumption, price, elasticity and its relation to legal norms directed to reduce tabaquism from 1980 to 2020. Material and methods: Conventional, observational descriptive, transversal, mixt study in two stages. The first stage identifies legal norms and the second, describes cigarette per capita consumption, price and elasticity. Results: There are established 37 legal norms related to tabaquism, that are inserted in six general health norms and 31 specific. Eight have national effect, twenty-eight limited to ministries and one to an enterprise group. Agreement No.5570/05 is of the highest level. Great part of what it is quoted in the Tobacco Control Frame Agreement by the International Health Organization, it is inserted in the legal norms established, but the ones of major impact to reduce tabaquism, it is only applied to those with no legal nor economic effect.From 1980 to 2019, cigarette per capita consumption of the cuban population of 15 years and older, has decreased 65.44%; average price of 20-unit pack, has not allowed to establish a correlation between both variables, only in punctual moments; same with elasticity product - price. There have been consumption oscillations, that seem to be related to social and economic situations, that have produced increases and decreases derived from non-studied cross elasticity. Conclusions. The legal norms directed to the reduction of cigarette consumption in Cuba are insufficient, as of its expressed content as of its enforcement to achieve such purpose.
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Introduction@#There is an urgent need to study client satisfaction in assessing the quality and availability of health care. Compliance with the needs of consumers of any care, its accessibility, professional ethics, speed of work, determining customer satisfaction allows for evidence-based decision-making. Therefore, satisfaction surveys should be conducted at short intervals and the results used for decision making. One hundred and fifty million people on the planet pay for their health care every year and face financial hardship. Hundreds of millions of them are living in poverty, according to the World Health Organization’s 2010 year report. Governments must ensure that all people receive health care and are protected from health-related financial risks. We believe that the current state of quality and access to health care in our country does not fully meet the needs of the population. 62.4% of customer satisfaction surveys conducted in 2013 that health care was inadequate. However, customer satisfaction surveys on health insurance coverage are rare. The process of providing discounted medicines through health insurance varies depending on the health needs of consumers and their budgetary capacity. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the factors that affect customer satisfaction.@*Methods@#In our study, we looked by retrospective at health and health insurance reporting indicators, Satisfaction of customers who bought medicines at pharmacies with health insurance prescriptions was surveyed in a one-moment survey.</br> We collected information on the satisfaction status of 525 people who used health insurance prescriptions from 36 pharmacies from December 2018 to April 2019 and from January to February 2021 using preprocessed cards.@*Conclusion@#</br>1. The cost of diagnosis from the health insurance fund and the selection of drugs to be included in the list of drug price discounts are related to the prevalence of the disease in Mongolia. </br>2. Difficulties in accessing drug price reductions from the health insurance fund can lead to dissatisfaction with the approved budget and the availability of drugs on the list. </br>3. In the case of Ulaanbaatar pharmacies, the satisfaction rate of consumers who use the discounted price of medicines according to the health insurance prescription is 3.634 or 72.688% in the first stage survey and 3.912 ± 0.50 or 78.248% in the second stage survey.
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Objective:To sort out the medical service price management in provinces of the Yangtze River Delta, and identify problems in the process of promoting the integration of medical insurance in the said region.Methods:The service price reform policies and current medical service price items specifications as of December 2020 were collected from the official websites of the reform and developmet committees, health comissions and health insurane bureaus of these provinces. Descriptive analysis using R 4.0.2 software were conducted.Results:Given the reform of medical service prices advanced in these provinces successively, the current medical service price items were not yet unified. In terms of the numbers, Jiangsu topped the rest by 4 457 basic items, while Zhejiang ranked the lowest at 3 914. In terms of decomposed items, Zhejiang topped the rest by 1 988, 17.6 times that of Anhui province. In terms of pricing level, the average price of medical services in Shanghai topped the rest by 1 041.6 yuan, while Jiangsu province was the lowest at 768.6 yuan. The price of some items varied by more than 20 times among these provinces.Conclusions:The provinces in the Yangtze River Delta had significant gaps in medical service price items setup and price levels. It is necessary to promote the regional coordinated specifications of medical service price items, further optimize the price levels, improve the methodological system of medical service price comparison, and promote the integration of medical insurance in the Yangtze River Delta.
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New medical service price items (hereinafter referred to as the new item) management is key to deepening medical service price reform.Based on the review of the policy development of the new item management and status quo of provincial-level practices, the authors sorted out the problems in the new item management as follows. Namely the new item connotation was not clearly defined, linkage with the national specifications for medical service price items was not yet well defined, the approval process was imperfect, the pricing fundamentals were weak, and the maturity term system was to be strengthened. According to such analyses, the authors proposed countermeasure recommendations for optimizing the new item management: to introduce and implement unified national specifications for medical service price item and the new item guidance as quickly as possible, to promote the linkage between the new item management and the dynamic adjustment mechanism of medical service prices, and to strengthen institutional construction of the new item management.