Comparativo entre preço máximo ao consumidor de medicamentos e preços praticados na internet no Brasil: desalinhamentos e distorções regulatórias / Comparison between maximum consumer prices for medicines and prices practiced on the internet in Brazil: misalignments and regulatory distortions

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.

Review on Pricing Policy of Patent Drugs in UK / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pricing policy on the patent drugs in UK.METHODS: The current pricing policy on patent drugs in UK and the outcome of the policy were analyzed and its characteristics and applicable condition were summarized.RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: Current pricing policy on patent drugs in UK provided incentives for the research & development as well as innovation of drugs and it helped to keep UK's pharmaceutical industries in the global leading level.However,there is no mechanism within it to take explicit account of therapeutic value of drugs.Also,it provides weak incentives to invest in the most cost-effective yet clinically demanded drugs and it has limited effect on price control of drugs.

Pricing Policy on Patent Drugs in Sweden and Its Implication for China / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE: To provide valuable reference for China in formulating and evolving pricing policy on patent drugs.METHODS: The current pricing policy on patent drugs in Sweden and its outcome were analyzed,and then its implication for Chinese medical & health market were summarized.RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that market information should be taken into full consideration and drugs price supervision system should be established in making pricing policy so as to avoid information asymmetry in pricing game and ensure effective utilization of social medical insurance resources.