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Evidence on the effectiveness of policies promoting price transparency - A systematic review

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  • Joosse, Iris R.
  • Tordrup, David
  • Glanville, Julie
  • Kotas, Eleanor
  • Mantel-Teeuwisse, Aukje K.
  • van den Ham, Hendrika A.

Abstract

Policies promoting price transparency may be an important approach to control medicine prices and achieve better access to medicines. As part of a wider review, we aimed to systematically determine whether policies promoting price transparency are effective in managing the prices of pharmaceutical products. We searched for studies published between January 1, 2004 and October 10, 2019, comparing policies promoting price transparency against other interventions or a counterfactual. Eligible study designs included randomized trials, and non-randomized or quasi-experimental studies such as interrupted time-series (ITS), repeated measures (RM), and controlled before-after studies. Studies were eligible if they included at least one of the following outcomes: price (or expenditure as a proxy for price and volume), volume, availability or affordability of pharmaceutical products. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE methodology. A total of 32011 records were retrieved, two of which were eligible for inclusion. Although based on evidence from a single study, public disclosure of medicine prices may be effective in reducing prices of medicines short-term, with benefits possibly sustained long-term. Evidence on the impact of a cost-feedback approach to prescribers was inconclusive. No evidence was found for impact on the outcomes volume, availability or affordability. The overall lack of evidence on policies promoting price transparency is a clear call for further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Joosse, Iris R. & Tordrup, David & Glanville, Julie & Kotas, Eleanor & Mantel-Teeuwisse, Aukje K. & van den Ham, Hendrika A., 2023. "Evidence on the effectiveness of policies promoting price transparency - A systematic review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:134:y:2023:i:c:s0168851022002822
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.11.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rajatheran Moodley & Fatima Suleman, 2019. "The impact of the single exit price policy on a basket of generic medicines in South Africa, using a time series analysis from 1999 to 2014," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Sabine Vogler & Kenneth R. Paterson, 2017. "Can Price Transparency Contribute to More Affordable Patient Access to Medicines?," PharmacoEconomics - Open, Springer, vol. 1(3), pages 145-147, September.
    3. Brendan Shaw & Jorge Mestre-Ferrandiz, 2020. "Talkin’ About a Resolution: Issues in the Push for Greater Transparency of Medicine Prices," PharmacoEconomics, Springer, vol. 38(2), pages 125-134, February.
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