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Carlos Balmaceda1, Manuel A Espinoza2, Janepsy Diaz1
1Departamento de Asuntos Científicos, Instituto de Salud Pública, Santiago, Chile.
Value in Health Regional Issues
|April 27, 2018
Summary
The implementation of bioequivalence in Chile significantly impacted medication prices, with effects varying by drug market characteristics. Some drug prices increased, while others decreased or remained unchanged.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Health policy analysis
- Drug commercialization
Context:
- Bioequivalence is a standard requirement for drug commercialization in high-income nations.
- Chile has progressively implemented bioequivalence requirements since 2008.
- A public awareness campaign accompanied the policy's rollout in Chile.
Purpose:
- To estimate the economic impact of bioequivalence implementation on medication prices in Chile.
- To analyze price changes for drugs affected by the bioequivalence policy.
Summary:
- A difference-in-difference study analyzed 30 chronic use drugs in Chile.
- Prices were compared based on the bioequivalence implementation date using control drugs.
- Drugs were categorized by price changes: significant increase, decrease, or no significant change.
Impact:
- Bioequivalence implementation had a significant, yet variable, effect on medication prices in Chile.
- The magnitude and direction of price changes depend on individual drug market dynamics.
- Findings highlight the nuanced economic consequences of bioequivalence policies.