Components Affecting Pharmaceutical Strategic Purchasing: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Pharmaceutical Management
• Health Economics

Background:

• Pharmaceutical strategic purchasing is crucial for improving access to medicines, especially in developing countries.
• Effective procurement strategies are essential for optimizing healthcare resource allocation and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and synthesize the most critical components influencing pharmaceutical strategic purchasing.
• To provide insights for developing countries aiming to enhance their medicine procurement systems.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using multiple databases (PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar).
• Search terms focused on "medicines strategic purchasing" and related concepts.
• 13 studies were included in the final analysis, with a balanced representation from developing and developed countries.

Main Results:

• Six key variables significantly affect pharmaceutical strategic purchasing: purchasing interventions, target group and service users, providers and suppliers, methods and motivations, price, and structure/organization.
• Developing countries' insurance organizations can achieve strategic purchasing by modifying pharmaceutical pricing and payment systems.
• Addressing the actual needs of target groups (demand) and optimizing organizational structure are vital.

Conclusions:

• Pharmaceutical strategic purchasing requires a multi-faceted approach, integrating pricing, demand assessment, and organizational reform.
• Developing countries should prioritize adapting pricing and payment systems, understanding user needs, and structuring procurement effectively.
• Collaborating with optimal pharmaceutical providers is essential for successful strategic purchasing initiatives.