Preliminary estimates of the economic implications of addiction in the United Arab Emirates

This study aimed to provide preliminary estimates of the economic implications of addiction in the United Arab Emirates [UAE]. Local and international data sources were used to derive estimates of substance-related healthcare costs, lost productivity and criminal behaviour. From an estimated population of 8.26 million: tilde 1.47 million used tobacco [20.5% of adults]; 380 085 used cannabis [> 5%]; 14 077 used alcohol in a harmful manner [0.2%]; and 1408 used opiates [0.02%]. The cost of addiction was estimated at US dollar 5.47 billion in 2012, equivalent to 1.4% of gross domestic product. Productivity costs were the largest contributor at US dollar 4.79 billion [88%] followed by criminal behaviour at US dollar 0.65 billion [12%]. There were no data to estimate cost of: treating tobacco-related diseases, community education and prevention efforts, or social disharmony. Current data collection efforts are limited in their capacity to fully inform an appropriate response to addiction in the UAE. Resources are required to improve indicators of drug use, monitor harm and evaluate treatment

Casemix in the Islamic Republic of Iran: current knowledge and attitudes of health care staff

Casemix is a tool that classifies patients according to their clinical similarity and the homogeneity of resources required. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and attitude toward the casemix-based funding system among staff working in the Iranian Social Security Organization in Tehran. The survey showed that knowledge of casemix and diagnosis-related groups [DRG] was poor among the study group and any attempt to implement the casemix system-which about three-quarters of high-level staff had never heard of would be likely to fail. This highlights the necessity for creating awareness of the casemix and DRG systems among the hospital staff before any action takes place