{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Long-term effects of the global budget program and periodic price adjustment on antibacterial agents: A nationwide decomposition analysis between 2001 and 2016.
{Author}: Lin YS;Hsiao FY;Cheng SH;
{Journal}: Am J Infect Control
{Volume}: 52
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 07 23
{Factor}: 4.303
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.01.012
{Abstract}: Previous studies have shown that financial strategies are beneficial for improving the appropriate use of antibiotics within a limited period of time. Long-term effects have rarely been explored.<BR>This study evaluated the changes in expenditure and prescription patterns of antibacterial agents under the global budget (GB) program and drug price adjustment of a National Health Insurance scheme. Two structural methods, that is, the Laspeyres method and Fisher's Ideal Index decomposition method, were used to illustrate the impacts of price, volume, and drug change.<BR>During the first 5 years of the GB program (ie, 2001-2006), the expenses of antibacterial agents increased by 54.1%, while the volume decreased by 11% to 21.3%. Therapeutic choice was the predominant cause of expense growth. In the second and third 5-year periods (ie, 2006-2011 and 2011-2016), the driving force of therapeutic choice gradually decreased. The antibacterial expense remained stable with a slight increase in prescription volume. Periodic price adjustment contributed steadily to cost containment, by 21.9% to 39.9%.<BR>The GB program led to a remarkable increase in antibacterial expenses mainly attributed to therapeutic choice, especially in the early stage. In contrast, periodic price adjustment, provided steady benefits to pharmaceutical budget control without a noticeable increase in drug volume.