Drug prices vary greatly among high-income countries with universal healthcare coverage, according to a study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal.
For the study, researchers analyzed 2015 data on the volume and cost per day of prescription drugs purchased in seven European countries: Australia, Canada and New Zealand. They also calculated total per capital expenses for six drug categories: hypertension medications, painkillers, lipid-lowering medicines, noninsulin diabetes drugs, gastrointestinal preparations and antidepressants.
Here are four study findings
- The average per capital annual drug expenses varied by more than 600 percent across the 10 countries.
- New Zealand had the lowest annual per-person drug cost at $23, and Switzerland had the highest at $171.
- In the five countries with a universal, single payer health system, the average per capital cost was $77, compared to $99 for the four countries with universal social insurance and $158 in Canada, which uses a mixed payer system.
- The volume of drugs purchased by each country differed by 41 percent.
More articles on supply chain:
Cancer drugs may be just as effective — and cheaper — at lower doses, oncologists say
Supply chain tip of the day: Rein in office supply costs with a limited formulary
FDA rejects biosimilar of Amgen cancer drug: 4 things to know