Study to determine relevant health outcome measures in opioid use disorder: Multicriteria decision analysis. / Estudio para la determinación de medidas de resultados en salud relevantes en el trastorno por consumo de opiáceos. Análisis de decisión multicriterio.

The aim of the current study was to establish the most relevant health outcomes to assess opioid substitution treatment programmes (OSP) in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Spain. A multicriteria decision analysis was applied in 3 phases: 1) concepts and criteria definitions; 2) criteria screening and weighting by means of a discrete choice experiment; 3) deliberative process. Criteria established in phase 1 were: substance use (opioids, alcohol, tobacco, stimulants and cannabis), other mental disorders (affective/anxiety disorder, psychosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, gambling disorder and other impulse control disorders), level of disability, adherence, medical illnesses (medical comorbidities, risk behaviours, infectious and sexually transmitted diseases), psychosocial aspects (hostile and/or violent behaviour and work problems), functional disability (quality of life, treatment and service satisfaction, social functionality). In phase 2, the most relevant factors in OSP were determined, and subsequently assessed in the deliberative process: remission of substance use (opioids, alcohol and stimulants), improvement of other mental disorders (psychosis and borderline personality disorder), improvement in comorbidity management, and improvement in social functionality, with a weighting of 56.5%, 21.9%, 11.0%, and 10.7%, respectively. The current analysis defines the main health outcomes in OSP in patients with OUD in Spain, supporting decision making and socio-health management of existing resources.

El objetivo fue establecer los resultados en salud con mayor relevancia en la evaluación de programas de tratamiento de sustitución de opiáceos (PTSO) en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de opiáceos (TCO) en España. Se realizó un análisis de decisión multicriterio con 3 fases: 1) definición de conceptos y criterios a evaluar; 2) cribado y ponderación de criterios mediante un experimento de elecciones discretas; 3) proceso deliberativo. Los criterios de la fase 1 fueron: consumo de sustancias (opiáceos, alcohol, tabaco, estimulantes y cannabis), trastornos mentales (trastorno afectivo ansioso, psicosis, trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad, trastorno límite de personalidad, trastornos de personalidad antisocial, trastorno por juego y otras alteraciones del control de los impulsos), nivel de discapacidad, adherencia, enfermedades médicas (comorbilidades, conductas de riesgo, enfermedades infecciosas y de transmisión sexual), aspectos psicosociales (conducta hostil y/o violenta, presencia de problemas laborales), discapacidad funcional (calidad de vida, satisfacción con el tratamiento y servicio, funcionamiento social). En la fase 2 se determinaron los factores fundamentales en la elección de un PTSO, revisados en el proceso deliberativo: remisión del consumo de sustancias (opiáceos, alcohol y estimulantes), mejoría en el manejo de otros trastornos mentales (psicosis y trastorno límite de la personalidad), mejoría en manejo de comorbilidades médicas y mejoría en el funcionamiento social, con un peso del 56,5%, 21,9%, 11,0% 10,7% respectivamente. Este análisis define los resultados sanitarios más relevantes en PTSO en pacientes con TCO en España, favoreciendo la toma de decisiones y la gestión socio-sanitaria de los recursos existentes.

Estudio para la determinación de medidas de resultados en salud relevantes en el trastorno por consumo de opiáceos. Análisis de decisión multicriterio / Study to determine relevant health outcome measures in opioid use disorder: Multicriteria decision análisis

El objetivo fue establecer los resultados en salud con mayor relevancia en la evaluación de programas de tratamiento de sustitución de opiáceos (PTSO) en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de opiáceos (TCO) en España. Se realizó un análisis de decisión multicriterio con 3 fases: 1) definición de conceptos y criterios a evaluar; 2) cribado y ponderación de criterios mediante un experimento de elecciones discretas; 3) proceso deliberativo. Los criterios de la fase 1 fueron: consumo de sustancias (opiáceos, alcohol, tabaco, estimulantes y cannabis), trastornos mentales (trastorno afectivo ansioso, psicosis, trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad, trastorno límite de personalidad, trastornos de personalidad antisocial, trastorno por juego y otras alteraciones del control de los impulsos), nivel de discapacidad, adherencia, enfermedades médicas (comorbilidades, conductas de riesgo, enfermedades infecciosas y de transmisión sexual), aspectos psicosociales (conducta hostil y/o violenta, presencia de problemas laborales), discapacidad funcional (calidad de vida, satisfacción con el tratamiento y servicio, funcionamiento social). En la fase 2 se determinaron los factores fundamentales en la elección de un PTSO, revisados en el proceso deliberativo: remisión del consumo de sustancias (opiáceos, alcohol y estimulantes), mejoría en el manejo de otros trastornos mentales (psicosis y trastorno límite de la personalidad), mejoría en manejo de comorbilidades médicas y mejoría en el funcionamiento social, con un peso del 56,5%, 21,9%, 11,0% 10,7% respectivamente. Este análisis define los resultados sanitarios más relevantes en PTSO en pacientes con TCO en España, favoreciendo la toma de decisiones y la gestión socio-sanitaria de los recursos existentes

The aim of the current study was to establish the most relevant health outcomes to assess opioid substitution treatment programmes (OSP) in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Spain. A multicriteria decision analysis was applied in 3 phases: 1) concepts and criteria definitions; 2) criteria screening and weighting by means of a discrete choice experiment; 3) deliberative process. Criteria established in phase 1 were: substance use (opioids, alcohol, tobacco, stimulants and cannabis), other mental disorders (affective/anxiety disorder, psychosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, gambling disorder and other impulse control disorders), level of disability, adherence, medical illnesses (medical comorbidities, risk behaviours, infectious and sexually transmitted diseases), psychosocial aspects (hostile and/ or violent behaviour and work problems), functional disability (quality of life, treatment and service satisfaction, social functionality). In phase 2, the most relevant factors in OSP were determined, and subsequently assessed in the deliberative process: remission of substance use (opioids, alcohol and stimulants), improvement of other mental disorders (psychosis and borderline personality disorder), improvement in comorbidity management, and improvement in social functionality, with a weighting of 56.5%, 21.9%, 11.0%, and 10.7%, respectively. The current analysis defines the main health outcomes in OSP in patients with OUD in Spain, supporting decision making and socio-health management of existing resources

Medicamentos biosimilares: medidas para fomentar su uso / Biosimilar drugs: Measures to promote their use

No disponible

DRUG EVALUATION AND DECISION MAKING IN CATALONIA: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK BASED ON MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS (MCDA) FOR ORPHAN DRUGS.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to adapt and assess the value of a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework (EVIDEM) for the evaluation of Orphan drugs in Catalonia (Catalan Health Service). METHODS: The standard evaluation and decision-making procedures of CatSalut were compared with the EVIDEM methodology and contents. The EVIDEM framework was adapted to the Catalan context, focusing on the evaluation of Orphan drugs (PASFTAC program), during a Workshop with sixteen PASFTAC members. The criteria weighting was done using two different techniques (nonhierarchical and hierarchical). Reliability was assessed by re-test. RESULTS: The EVIDEM framework and methodology was found useful and feasible for Orphan drugs evaluation and decision making in Catalonia. All the criteria considered for the development of the CatSalut Technical Reports and decision making were considered in the framework. Nevertheless, the framework could improve the reporting of some of these criteria (i.e., "unmet needs" or "nonmedical costs"). Some Contextual criteria were removed (i.e., "Mandate and scope of healthcare system", "Environmental impact") or adapted ("population priorities and access") for CatSalut purposes. Independently of the weighting technique considered, the most important evaluation criteria identified for orphan drugs were: "disease severity", "unmet needs" and "comparative effectiveness", while the "size of the population" had the lowest relevance for decision making. Test-retest analysis showed weight consistency among techniques, supporting reliability overtime. CONCLUSIONS: MCDA (EVIDEM framework) could be a useful tool to complement the current evaluation methods of CatSalut, contributing to standardization and pragmatism, providing a method to tackle ethical dilemmas and facilitating discussions related to decision making.

Evaluation of electronic prescription implementation in polymedicated users of Catalonia, Spain: a population-based longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether electronic prescribing is a comprehensive health management tool that may contribute to rational drug use, particularly in polymedicated patients receiving 16 or more medications in the public healthcare system in the Barcelona Health Region (BHR). DESIGN: 16 months of retrospective study followed by 12 months of prospective monitoring. SETTING: Primary healthcare in BHR, Catalonia, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All insured patients, especially those who are polymedicated in six basic health areas (BHA). Polymedicated patients were those with a consumption of ≥16 drugs/month. INTERVENTIONS: Monitoring demographic and consumption variables obtained from the records of prescriptions dispensed in pharmacies and charged to the public health system, as well as the resulting drug use indicators. Territorial variables related to implementation of electronic prescribing were also described and were obtained from the institutional data related to the deployment of the project. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Trend in drug use indicators (number of prescriptions per polymedicated user, total cost per polymedicated user and total cost per prescription) according to e-prescription implementation. RESULTS: There was a significant upward trend in the number of polymedicated users, number of prescriptions and total cost (p<0.05), which seemed independent from the implementation of electronic prescribing when comparing the preimplementation and postimplementation period. Prescriptions per user and cost per user showed a decrease between the preimplementation and postimplementation period, being significant in two BHAs (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that after the implementation of electronic prescribing, the rationality of prescribing in polymedicated patients improved. In addition, this study provides a very valuable approach for future impact assessment.

Profile, cost and pattern of prescriptions for polymedicated patients in Catalonia, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Polypharmacy is one of the main management issues in public health policies because of its financial impact and the increasing number of people involved. The polymedicated population according to their demographic and therapeutic profile and the cost for the public healthcare system were characterised. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary healthcare in Barcelona Health Region, Catalonia, Spain (5 105 551 inhabitants registered). PARTICIPANTS: All insured polymedicated patients. Polymedicated patients were those with a consumption of ≥16 drugs/month. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The study variables were related to age, gender and medication intake obtained from the 2008 census and records of prescriptions dispensed in pharmacies and charged to the public health system. RESULTS: There were 36 880 polymedicated patients (women: 64.2%; average age: 74.5±10.9 years). The total number of prescriptions billed in 2008 was 2 266 830 (2 272 920 total package units). The most polymedicated group (up to 40% of the total prescriptions) was patients between 75 and 84 years old. The average number of prescriptions billed monthly per patient was 32±2, with an average cost of €452.7±27.5. The total cost of those prescriptions corresponded to 2% of the drug expenditure in Catalonia. The groups N, C, A, R and M represented 71.4% of the total number of drug package units dispensed to polymedicated patients. Great variability was found between the medication profiles of men and women, and between age groups; greater discrepancies were found in paediatric patients (5-14 years) and the elderly (≥65 years). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides essential information to take steps towards rational drug use and a structured approach in the polymedicated population in primary healthcare.

[Electronic prescription in Catalonia, Spain (Rec@t): a health tool]. / Receta electrónica en Cataluña (Rec@t): una herramienta de salud.

Electronic prescription is new advance in the use of new technologies on health care. It is a tool that increases quality health care, patient's accessibility and safety in use of drugs and sustainability of the system. Electronic prescription is also a system of prescribing and dispensing in real time, improving coordination between health professionals. The electronic prescription model establishes that the patient comes to the health center where physician diagnostics, makes prescriptions of treatment and, if it is necessary, gives a medication plan to the patient. This medication plan contains currents treatments and a security code. Patients can go to any pharmacy he wants and have to present medication plan and health care card for drug delivery. The electronic prescription is being implemented gradually in Catalonia; Barcelona city is the last zone where Electronic prescription is being implemented. On November, more than 3.100 physicians, 2.450 pharmacies and 870.000 patients are using electronic prescriptions normally and without any remarkable incidences and more than 90.000 drugs are being dispensed every day. Implementation of electronic prescription project is a success in Catalonia, with a good reception from professionals and patients. The model of electronic prescription improves every day to be more useful to professionals and patients.

Receta electrónica en Cataluña (Rec@t): una herramienta de salud / Electronic prescription in Catalonia, Spain (Rec@t): a health tool

La receta electrónica supone un avance en el uso de las nuevas tecnologías en el ámbito de la salud. Es una herramienta de salud centrada en el paciente, que mejora la calidad asistencial, la accesibilidad a la prestación farmacéutica, la seguridad en el uso de los medicamentos y la sostenibilidad del sistema. Es un sistema de prescripción y dispensación en tiempo real, que mejora la coordinación entre profesionales sanitarios. El modelo establece que el paciente acude al centro de salud, donde el médico realizará el diagnóstico y, si es necesario, la prescripción de un tratamiento farmacéutico. Le entregará al paciente su plan de medicación, que contiene todos los tratamientos vigentes, y un código de seguridad. El paciente acudirá a la farmacia para que le sean dispensados los medicamentos prescritos, donde deberá entregar el plan de medicación y su tarjeta sanitaria individual. La receta electrónica se está desplegando progresivamente en Cataluña de forma conjunta entre todos los agentes. Actualmente, el proyecto está en su última fase, desplegándose en la ciudad de Barcelona, después de su implantación con éxito en el resto del territorio. A finales de noviembre, más de 3.100 médicos, 2.450 farmacias y 870.000 pacientes utilizan la receta electrónica con normalidad y sin incidencias remarcables, y se dispensan más de 90.000 medicamentos diariamente con receta electrónica. El proyecto de receta electrónica avanza con éxito en el territorio catalán, con buena aceptación de profesionales y pacientes. El modelo de receta electrónica está en constante evolución para introducir mejoras tanto para profesionales como pacientes (AU)

Electronic prescription is new advance in the use of new technologies on health care. It is a tool that increases quality health care, patient’s accessibility and safety in use of drugs and sustainability of the system. Electronic prescription is also a system of prescribing and dispensing in real time, improving coordination between health professionals. The electronic prescription model establishes that the patient comes to the health center where physician diagnostics, makes prescriptions of treatment and, if it is necessary, gives a medication plan to the patient. This medication plan contains currents treatments and a security code. Patients can go to any pharmacy he wants and have to present medication plan and health care card for drug delivery. The electronic prescription is being implemented gradually in Catalonia; Barcelona city is the last zone where Electronic prescription is being implemented. On November, more than 3.100 physicians, 2.450 pharmacies and 870.000 patients are using electronic prescriptions normally and without any remarkable incidences and more than 90.000 drugs are being dispensed every day. Implementation of electronic prescription project is a success in Catalonia, with a good reception from professionals and patients. The model of electronic prescription improves every day to be more useful to professionals and patients (AU)