Investigation of the Activity of Pharmacoeconomics in European Pharmaceutical Companies / 薬剤疫学

ABSTRACT

Objective: We sent out a questionnaire to major European pharmaceutical companies in attempt to determine the actual situation of European pharmacoeconomical activity.<BR>The questionnaire is expected to provide information which would be useful, when we, Japanese pharmaceutical companies monitor pharmacoeconomical activity to observe and estimate how the Japanese medical system is now changing and will change in the future.<BR>Methods: The questionnaires were sent directly to the headquarters in Europe or to subsidiaries of multinational companies which have their subsidiaries in Germany, the UK and France.<BR>Results: It was clear that there is no legal obligation to submit a pharmacoeconomical report as data for filing as a new drug and/or for filing for official drug price list in Germany, the UK and France. Of the three countries, the report made the best use of sales promotion in the UK. On the other hand, it was the least used in Germany.<BR>In France, the major purpose of the report was to explain to governmental authority the reason why the price for a new drug was set as such.<BR>Conclusion: Each country's pharmacoeconomical activities as surveyed by its pharmaceutical companies has particular characteristics. The contents of the activity depends on what type of users there are, for example, governmental administration, medical institution, health insurer etc. and it also depends on the expectations of the social environment regarding the economy and efficiency of medical treatment.<BR>It is necessary for us, Japanese pharmaceutical companies to have great considerartion for such social environment, when we consider pharmacoeconomical activity in Japan.